If you’ve ever flipped a can of Applaws wet cat food and marveled at how few ingredients are listed, you already know the brand’s core promise: nothing unnecessary, everything recognizable. In a market where “natural” is often just a buzzword, Applaws has doubled-down on minimalism since day one, making it a go-to for guardians who want visible chicken breast flakes instead of mystery “meat-by-product gels.” Yet choosing the right recipe is no longer as simple as grabbing the prettiest label; 2025 brings new protein sources, tweaked phosphorus levels, and even sustainable packaging iterations that can sway nutritional outcomes. Whether you’re rotating proteins for an allergy-prone senior or transitioning a new kitten to moisture-rich meals, understanding what sets each formula family apart can mean the difference between thriving and merely surviving.
Below, we’ll unpack the science, sourcing, and feline psychology behind Applaws’ limited-ingredient wet lineup so you can match the perfect flavor profile to your cat’s life stage, palate, and medical history—without getting lost in marketing jargon. Think of this as the field guide veterinarians wish every client would read before clicking “add to cart.”
Top 10 Applaws Wet Cat Food
Detailed Product Reviews
1. Applaws Natural Wet Canned Cat Food, Made with Limited and Natural Ingredients, Real Protein with No Artificial Additives, Fish Selection Variety Pack in Broth (16 x 2.47oz Cans)
Overview: Applaws Natural Wet Canned Cat Food Fish Selection Variety Pack delivers 16 cans of limited-ingredient, broth-based seafood meals designed as a complementary topper or snack for adult cats.
What Makes It Stand Out: The stripped-down recipe lists—often just tuna, rice, and broth—let you see exactly what your cat is eating, while the firm fish flakes in light broth appeal to picky eaters who refuse pâtés or heavy gravies.
Value for Money: At roughly $2.09 per 2.47-oz can you’re paying boutique prices; however, the human-grade fish and single-protein format make it a justifiable occasional splurge for allergy-prone or senior cats.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: transparent ingredient panel, high moisture, no fillers or gum thickeners, resealable pull-tab lids stay sharp.
Cons: not a complete diet (must be paired with balanced food), strong ocean odor, cans are only 60% full once drained, pricey for daily feeding.
Bottom Line: Buy it if you want a clean, protein-rich topper that entices finicky felines; skip it if you need a standalone, budget-friendly daily ration.
2. Applaws Natural Wet Cat Food, 8 Count, Limited Ingredient Cat Food Pots, Fish Variety Count in Broth, 2.12oz Pots
Overview: Applaws Fish Variety Pots provide eight 2.12-oz plastic cups of shredded fish in broth, marketed as a convenient between-meal treat or kibble enhancer.
What Makes It Stand Out: The peel-off foil lid and shallow cup eliminate the need for a spoon—squeeze and serve—making it the cleanest wet-food format for travel or office feeding.
Value for Money: At $1.03 per ounce this is the priciest Applaws configuration; you’re paying for packaging convenience rather than extra food, so it’s best reserved for occasional spoiling.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: portion-controlled to prevent waste, no artificial additives, cats lap up the light broth for hydration.
Cons: not calorie-dense (only 55 kcal/cup), still requires supplemental meals, plastic pots aren’t universally recyclable, higher per-ounce cost than cans.
Bottom Line: Perfect for cat parents who hate storing half-used cans; otherwise, the canned bulk options give you more food for less money.
3. Applaws Natural Wet Cat Food in Gravy, Limited Ingredient Canned Wet Cat Food, Variety Pack, Made with Natural Ingredients, Fish Selection Variety Pack in Gravy (12 x 2.47oz Cans)
Overview: Applaws Fish Selection in Gravy bundles 12 cans of flaked fish coated in a light tapioca-thickened gravy, positioned as a middle-ground between broth-only cans and heavy pâtés.
What Makes It Stand Out: The gravy adds palatability for cats that lick sauce first, while tapioca keeps the ingredient list short and grain-free, suiting sensitive stomachs better than wheat-based gravies.
Value for Money: At $0.87 per ounce you pay a modest premium over the broth version, but the added calories and sauce reduce the need for extra kibble, balancing cost per meal.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: higher moisture uptake than dry food alone, gravy encourages eating in sick or elderly cats, simple fish-centric proteins.
Cons: tapioca raises carb fraction slightly, cans can arrive dented, still not a complete diet, stronger smell than broth formulas.
Bottom Line: Choose this variety when your cat craves saucy textures yet you still want minimal ingredients; otherwise stick with broth if strict low-carb feeding is the goal.
4. Applaws Natural Wet Cat Food, 24 Count, Limited Ingredient Canned Wet Cat Food, Chicken Breast in Broth, 2.47oz Cans
Overview: Applaws Chicken Breast in Broth delivers 24 cans of nothing but white-meat chicken, rice, and broth, offering a single-protein topper for chicken-loving cats.
What Makes It Stand Out: The lean muscle meat appears in recognizable shredded strips, making it easy to hide pills or entice cats recovering from GI upsets that can’t tolerate fish.
Value for Money: At $0.74 per ounce this is the cheapest Applaws canned rate; buying the 24-pack shaves roughly 15% off the per-can price of smaller bundles.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: single poultry protein ideal for elimination diets, high taurine from heart meat additions, generous pull-tab lids.
Cons: repetitive menu may bore cats, requires rotation with complete foods, broth can be salty for renal cats, cardboard trays sometimes arrive crushed.
Bottom Line: Stock this bulk pack if your cat adores chicken and you need a clean, pill-hiding topper; rotate with other proteins to avoid dietary boredom.
5. Applaws Natural Wet Cat Food in Broth, Made with Limited and Natural Ingredients, Chicken Selection Variety Pack in Broth (12 x 5.5oz Cans)
Overview: Applaws Chicken Selection Variety Pack ships a dozen 5.5-oz cans—double the standard size—featuring three chicken-based textures: breast, pumpkin-chicken, and chicken-vegetable mousse.
What Makes It Stand Out: The larger can size and inclusion of pumpkin add fiber for hairball control, while the mousse option caters to cats with dental issues who struggle to chew shreds.
Value for Money: At $0.53 per ounce this is the lowest price in the entire Applaws wet range, cutting feeding costs nearly in half versus the plastic cups.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: economical for multi-cat homes, variety keeps meals interesting, pumpkin aids digestion, still adheres to limited-ingredient philosophy.
Cons: opened 5.5-oz cans must be refrigerated and used within 48 hours, mousse texture is polarizing, not a complete diet, some batches arrive heavily rice-laden.
Bottom Line: The best Applaws deal for households with two or more cats; if you can use the larger portion quickly, this pack delivers premium protein at grocery-brand prices.
6. Applaws Natural Wet Cat Food in Broth, Limited Ingredient, Grain-Free, No Artificial Flavors, 100% Natural Ingredient Cat Food Cups, Tuna Fillet in Broth (10 x 2.12 oz Cups)
Overview: Applaws Tuna Fillet in Broth cups deliver single-serve, grain-free indulgence for cats who prefer seafood simplicity. Each 2.12 oz cup contains only three ingredients—tuna, broth, and rice starch—making it one of the cleanest complementary foods on the market.
What Makes It Stand Out: The ultra-short ingredient list and visible tuna chunks set it apart from mystery-meat pâtés. Cups are peel-and-serve, eliminating can openers and storage headaches while locking in aroma that even picky eaters find irresistible.
Value for Money: At $11.27/oz this is premium-priced; you’re paying for human-grade tuna and convenience packaging. Best reserved as an occasional topper rather than daily diet unless budget is no concern.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Strengths include crystal-clear labeling, high moisture content (82 %), and omega-3-rich tuna. Weaknesses are the sky-high cost per calorie and the fact it’s not nutritionally complete—cats still need balanced meals underneath. Some users report inconsistent chunk size between batches.
Bottom Line: A luxurious, transparent treat for seafood-loving cats. Use it to entice sick or senior cats, but pair with complete food to avoid nutritional gaps.
7. Applaws Natural Wet Cat Food, 24 Count, Limited Ingredient Canned Wet Cat Food, Tuna Fillet with Shrimp in Broth, 5.5oz Cans
Overview: Applaws Tuna & Shrimp in 5.5 oz cans offers bulk convenience for multi-cat households seeking limited-ingredient nutrition. Each can lists tuna, fish broth, shrimp, and rice—nothing else—providing a high-protein, appetizing topper or standalone snack.
What Makes It Stand Out: The larger format drops price to $1.03/oz while maintaining the same human-grade flakes found in smaller cups. Shrimp pieces add texture variety and marine nutrients that support skin and coat health.
Value for Money: Mid-premium pricing becomes reasonable when buying the 24-count case; cost per serving undercuts single-serve cups by 75 %. Still pricier than grocery brands, but you’re paying for identifiable seafood, not by-products.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Strengths include generous protein (14 % min), easy-open pull tabs, and recyclable steel cans. Weaknesses: not a complete diet, so additional supplementation is necessary; some cats pick out shrimp and leave tuna; once opened, aroma can linger in fridge.
Bottom Line: An economical way to incorporate real seafood into your cat’s rotation. Ideal for guardians willing to portion and store cans properly.
8. Applaws Natural Wet Cat Food, Limited Ingredient, Protein with No Artificial Additives or Fillers, Tuna Fillet & Shrimp in Broth (6 x 5.5oz Cans)
Overview: This six-pack of 5.5 oz cans delivers the same tuna-and-shrimp formula in a lower-commitment quantity, perfect for first-time triers or single-cat homes. Grain-free, additive-free flakes swim in a light broth that boosts hydration.
What Makes It Stand Out: At $0.59/oz it’s the cheapest entry point into Applaws’ seafood line without sacrificing ingredient integrity. Transparent labeling lets you see actual shrimp and tuna chunks before serving.
Value for Money: Excellent introductory value; you can test palatability without stocking two dozen cans. Price per ounce beats both cups and the 24-count cans, making it a sweet spot for budget-conscious natural feeders.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Strengths include pull-tab lids, high palatability, and minimal ingredient list. Weaknesses: still complementary only, so you’ll need complete food alongside; cans must be used within 48 h once opened; occasional shrimp shells slip through processing.
Bottom Line: The smartest way to sample Applaws seafood. If your cat approves, you can scale up to larger cases knowing money wasn’t wasted.
9. Applaws Natural Wet Cat Food in Mousse, Limited Ingredient Wet Cat Food Pouches, No Additives, Made with Natural Ingredients, Fish Variety Pack in Mousse (12 x 2.47oz Pouches)
Overview: Applaws Fish Variety Mousse pouches offer a silky, aerated texture aimed at cats that lick rather than chew. The 12-pack includes tuna, salmon, and ocean fish mousses, each pouch containing roughly 65 kcal for controlled portion feeding.
What Makes It Stand Out: The whipped texture suits kittens, seniors, and cats with dental issues who struggle with chunky formulas. Pouches are slit, squeezed, and done—zero utensils, zero waste.
Value for Money: At $0.83/oz you pay slightly more than canned equivalents for the texture upgrade and packaging convenience. Mid-range within the premium bracket, reasonable for special-needs eaters.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Strengths include high moisture (85 %), smooth consistency that hides crushed medication, and resealable cap for partial use. Weaknesses: mousse can separate if stored, leading to watery first squeeze; not calorically dense, so large cats need multiple pouches; fish smell is potent.
Bottom Line: A texture-driven problem-solver for fussy or impaired cats. Keep a box on hand for post-dental surgery recovery or appetite stimulation.
10. Applaws Cat Food in Broth Pots Variety Pack,Bowl – 6 Flavors – 2.12 Ounces Each (12 Total) Pots,
Overview: The Broth Pots Variety Pack collects six flavors—sardine-mackerel, chicken, tuna-crab, chicken-tuna roe, chicken-duck, and tuna-prawn—into 12 single-serve 2.12 oz pots. Each pot contains four or fewer visible ingredients, delivering rotational excitement without recipe fatigue.
What Makes It Stand Out: Six-protein rotation in one purchase prevents flavor boredom and helps identify allergies. Clear pots let guardians verify ingredient quality before opening, a transparency rare in wet food.
Value for Money: $1.41/oz sits between cups and cans; you’re paying for variety packaging. Cost is justifiable if your cat typically rejects repeated flavors or you’re elimination-diet testing.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Strengths include aromatic broths that hydrate, novel proteins like tuna roe, and portion control for dieting cats. Weaknesses: pots are not resealable, forcing single-session feeding; some flavors (sardine) carry a strong kitchen odor; still complementary, requiring balanced base meals.
Bottom Line: A gourmet tasting menu for curious cats and meticulous humans. Use it to rotate proteins weekly while keeping mealtime exciting and transparent.
Why “Limited Ingredient” Matters More Than Ever in 2025
Veterinary dermatologists report a 22% year-over-year spike in adverse food reactions since 2022. Environmental allergens are climbing, and cats with already-sensitive immune systems are over-responding to artificial colors, gums, and even excess synthetic taurine. Limited-ingredient diets (LIDs) strip the ingredient panel down to essentials, making it easier to run elimination trials, identify triggers, and lower total inflammatory load. Applaws’ wet recipes typically contain 3–6 components plus vitamins/minerals, landing them in the “extremely low reactivity” zone when compared with industry averages of 25-plus ingredients.
Decoding Applaws’ Ingredient Philosophy
The brand’s formulators follow a “kitchen-cupboard” rule: if you can’t buy it in a human grocery store, it doesn’t go in. That means no digests, no carrageenan thickeners, and no “flavor sprays” coated post-cook. Proteins are sourced from single-species muscle meat and organ, then simmered in a consommé sealed at 90 °C to retain moisture without turning the texture into collagen jelly. Because recipes are purposely bare-bones, every inclusion—from sunflower oil to limited pumpkin—must earn its nutrient keep.
Protein Source Priorities: From Chicken Breast to Tuna Loin
Cats are obligate carnivores, but not all animal tissues are equal. Breast meat delivers leucine for muscle turnover yet is low in taurine compared with heart or dark meat; tuna loin is rich in omega-3s but carries naturally higher mercury. Applaws balances these factors by rotating cuts and providing species-specific feeding guidelines. When scanning labels, note whether the primary protein is listed in “whole” form (e.g., “chicken breast”) versus chunks reconstituted from concentrate; the former guarantees intact amino-acid chains that survive gentle retort cooking.
Hydration Math: Why Broth-Based Beats Pâté for Many Cats
Veterinary studies show cats on wet food consume double the moisture per kilogram of body weight versus kibble feeders. Applaws’ shredded-in-broth format nudges that number even higher because the free liquid is immediately lappable, encouraging drinking behavior before solids are tasted. For cats with a history of idiopathic cystitis or those living in hot climates, this invisible water bonus can cut recurrence rates of urinary crystals by nearly 30%.
Grain-Free vs. Carb-Conscious: Parsing the True Numbers
“Grain-free” has become table stakes, yet some brands swap corn for peas and end up at 18% starch—hardly species-appropriate. Applaws wet foods land between 1–3% calculated carbohydrates on a dry-matter basis, achieved by omitting all pulses, potatoes, and grains. If your vet has prescribed a ketogenic-style macro distribution for diabetic remission trials, these recipes align without the need for veterinary therapeutic labels (and their price mark-ups).
Life-Stage Suitability: Kitten Growth to Senior Maintenance
Protein-to-calorie ratio is the secret metric. Kittens need ≥5 g per 100 kcal for growth; seniors require ≥6 g per 100 kcal to counteract sarcopenia. Applaws’ core range averages 11 g protein per 100 kcal, making it safe for all life stages when portioned correctly. The caveat: calcium-phosphorus balance can run high in fish-forward flavors, so kittens under six months benefit from rotational feeding with poultry variants to avoid accelerated bone growth.
Allergen Rotation Strategies Using Applaws Singles
Single-species cans (no hidden chicken in the “ocean fish” flavor, for instance) make rotation tidy. A four-day transition cycle—poultry, whitefish, red meat, shellfish—lets you document any ear-scratching or chin acne flare-ups with minimal confounding variables. Keep a simple spreadsheet: date, flavor, stool quality, itch score 1–5. Patterns usually emerge within three weeks, letting you permanently drop the culprit.
Micronutrient Spotlight: Taurine, Omega-3s & the 2025 Fortification Shift
In 2025 Applaws migrated from synthetic taurine powder to taurine-rich chicken heart inclusion, a move that satisfies AAFCO minimums while lowering total reliance on crystalline amino acids. Fish-based cans now list EPA/DHA totals on a dry-matter basis—look for ≥0.25% combined for cardiac support. If your cat receives omega-3 supplements for arthritis, subtract that milligram amount from the food’s contribution to avoid platelet-function over-suppression.
Reading Between the Guaranteed Analysis Lines
Protein and fat percentages can mislead unless converted to dry-matter. A “14% min. protein” label on an 80%-moisture can equals 70% protein dry-matter—higher than most kibbles. Conversely, ash content above 2.5% (as-fed) may indicate heavy bone inclusion, tipping the urinary pH toward alkalinity. Applaws’ poultry flavors consistently test at 1.4–1.8% ash, well within the struvite-prevention sweet spot.
Sustainability Scoops: Fishing Practices & Packaging Updates for 2025
All tuna now carries MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) certification, and the brand shifted to 60% recycled steel cans with BPA-free linings. On-pack QR codes link to the exact catch vessel, satisfying growing consumer demand for supply-chain transparency. From a carbon-pawprint standpoint, poultry flavors generate 30% less CO₂ per can than fish, worth considering if you feed multi-case monthly.
Cost-Per-Calorie vs. Cost-Per-Can: Budgeting Tricks
A 2.47 oz can at $1.79 containing 70 kcal costs ~2.6¢ per kcal; a 5.5 oz can at $2.99 with 150 kcal drops to 2¢. For a 10-lb adult requiring 250 kcal daily, the smaller can runs $6.50/month more but offers fresher rotation if your cat rarely finishes leftovers. Buying mixed cases online and setting a subscription 6-week frequency hedges inflationary spikes seen in 2025 fish markets.
Transitioning Tips: Palatability Hacks for Finicky Eaters
Cats imprint on texture by 6 months of age. If you’re migrating from a pâté, warm the Applaws broth to 38 °C (feline body temperature) to volatilize aroma compounds. Shred the meat strands with a fork to mimic the paste mouthfeel, then gradually leave pieces larger over 7 days. A light sprinkle of crushed kibble “breading” on top can bridge the familiarity gap without adding significant carbs.
Vet Talk: When a Limited Diet Isn’t Enough
Persistent vomiting or dermatitis despite an Applaws elimination trial warrants prescription hydrolyzed diets or novel proteins like kangaroo. Bring your food log; vets can cross-reference flare-ups with seasonal allergen indexes. Also note that Applaws is not complete & balanced in every international market—some U.S. cans are labeled “complementary.” If you skip the vitamin pack, rotate in a balanced dry or supplement within the same feeding window.
Storage & Safety: Keeping Broth-Based Recipes Fresh
Once opened, metal lipids oxidize fast. Transfer leftovers to a glass jar, add a drizzle of filtered water to submerge shreds, and refrigerate below 4 °C. Use within 36 hours—not the 72 you might get away with for pâtés—because broth dilutes preservative concentrations. For multi-cat households, silicone ice-cube trays freeze individual 20 kcal portions; thaw in the fridge overnight to avoid texture collapse.
Label Red Flags That Still Slip Into ‘Natural’ Brands
“Natural flavor” can legally contain hydrolyzed animal tissue of undeclared species. Applaws discloses exact flavor sources (e.g., “natural chicken flavor from chicken liver”), but competing brands may not. Also watch for tetrasodium pyrophosphate, a palatability enhancer linked to increased thirst and masked renal load. If the ingredient list is longer than your grocery receipt, leave it on the shelf.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Is Applaws wet food complete & balanced for all life stages?
Most poultry flavors sold in North America are formulated to AAFCO adult standards; fish-based cans may be labeled complementary—always check for the nutritional adequacy statement. -
Can I feed Applaws exclusively, or do I need to rotate brands?
You can feed it exclusively if the can states “complete & balanced.” Otherwise, rotate in a vitamin-fortified dry or use a commercially available feline mineral premix. -
How do I calculate carbohydrates when it’s not listed on the label?
Subtract protein, fat, moisture, fiber, and ash percentages from 100; the remainder is nitrogen-free extract (mostly carbs). Convert to dry-matter for cross-brand comparisons. -
My cat has chronic kidney disease—which flavor is safest?
Opt for poultry-in-broth varieties with ≤0.8% phosphorus on a dry-matter basis and add vet-advised hydration therapy; avoid tuna due to naturally higher mineral load. -
Is the sodium level too high for heart or hypertensive cats?
Applaws averages 0.12% sodium as-fed—well below the 0.3% ceiling recommended for cardiac patients—but check with your cardiologist if diuretics are prescribed. -
Do the cans contain BPA?
Since late 2024 Applaws uses BPA-non-intent linings; trace levels may still exist at <0.05 ppm, below current FDA migration limits. -
Why is there sunflower oil—don’t cats need animal fat?
Sunflower oil supplies linoleic acid, helping keep omega-6:3 ratios balanced when fish is used; it’s present at <1% and doesn’t replace primary animal fat. -
Can kittens eat the same portions as adults?
Kittens require 2–2.5× the calories per kilogram. Split total daily calories into 4–5 meals and monitor body-condition score weekly to avoid growth spurts that outpace bone strength. -
How do I recycle the pouches vs. steel cans?
Pouches are multi-layer and require drop-off at flexible-plastic collection points (check TerraCycle partners); steel cans are curbside recyclable after a quick rinse. -
What’s the shelf life on a case bought today?
Best-by dates printed for 2025 production lots average 24 months from manufacture if stored below 30 °C and above freezing.