Dr. Marty Nature’s Feast Cat Food Review 2025
The Wag! team conducts independent research and consults pet experts to curate our recommendations. This content is supported by our affiliate pet partners and we may receive a commission on the links provided.
Dr. Marty pet food is the brainchild of celebrity vet Dr. Martin Goldstein, who has been practicing for nearly 50 years. You may know Dr. Goldstein from his books or seen one of his numerous appearances on talk shows like Good Morning America or in pet documentaries like The Dog Doc. He has cared for the pets of Hollywood's elite and was even recognized by Forbes magazine for his unique approaches to pet health and nutrition.
Dr. Marty cat food line has been hugely successful partly due to his fame, but how do the recipes stack up to other high-quality commercial cat foods? We've researched the brand's history and products to give you an unbiased in-depth review of Dr. Marty cat food. Read on for th
Dr. Marty Nature's Feast product ranges and flavors
Dr. Marty serves up four recipes of signature freeze-dried natural
cat food, which are sold in 5.5 oz and 12 oz bags. Thanks to the freeze-drying process, the products are shelf-stable for 90 days after opening and require no refrigeration.
You can serve Dr. Marty cat food as is or mix it with one part water to two parts food to add a touch more moisture to your kitty's meals. The best part is, if you're unsatisfied with your purchase or your feline friend doesn't care for the food, Dr. Marty offers a full refund (excluding shipping) with the return of the unused portion.
Dr Marty Essential Wellness Chicken Cat Food
Essential Wellness Chicken
Nature's Feast Essential Wellness Chicken is a
protein-rich recipe combining various meats,
organs, and
antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies. The first six ingredients are all animal products and include chicken, chicken heart, chicken liver, chicken gizzards, turkey liver, and turkey hearts.
This recipe has moderate
fat and high protein, with 53% protein and 26% fat on a dry matter basis. And since it is just 175 calories per cup, this could be a healthy choice for kitties watching their weight.
Essential Wellness Fish & Poultry with salmon, turkey, and whitefish
If your kitty prefers surf and turf, the Fish & Poultry recipe will be right up their alley. This option is a hearty blend of
salmon, turkey, whitefish, chicken liver, chicken heart, and gizzards to satisfy any kitty.
Fiber-rich veg like kelp,
sweet potatoes,
carrots, and
flaxseed will help keep your fur-baby content between meals and keep their digestive system moving as it should. As with the other recipes in this line, this one relies on mixed tocopherols (
vitamin E) to act as a natural preservative. Like the chicken recipe, this option contains 53% protein and 26% fat as dry matter.
Dr Marty Essential Wellness Poultry, Beef, & Salmon Cat Food
Essential Wellness Poultry, Beef, & Salmon with turkey, beef, salmon and duck
At 39% protein, the poultry, beef, & salmon recipe is slightly lower in protein than some of the other recipes, but it is still significantly higher than most commercial cat food. A single cup serving of this recipe is 256 calories, which is higher than the other recipes but manageable enough to work into most
lower-calorie diets.
One thing we particularly liked about this recipe is the higher fiber content, which is excellent for kitties that struggle with
digestive health.
Essential Wellness Poultry with turkey, duck, goose, and quail
With turkey,
duck, goose, quail, and organ meats, the Poultry recipe would be a flavorful addition to any kitty's bowl. Plus, with its addition of superfoods like spinach, kale, and flaxseed, this is a recipe you can feel good about giving to them.
Like the Poultry, Beef, & Salmon recipe, this option is 39% protein, but it is slightly lower in calories, coming in at 227 calories per cup.
Why Wag! likes Dr. Marty Nature's Feast cat food
Dr. Marty veterinarian-formulated recipes commitment and natural, high-quality ingredients make it a solid cat food option for pet parents in search of a natural and nutritionally complete diet.
Limited, whole-ingredient recipes
Dr. Marty cat food recipes are all-natural and feature just three types of ingredients: animal products, fruits, and veggies — that's it! These recipes aren't fortified with vitamin or mineral premixes or supplements since they are all complete and balanced naturally. Likewise, they contain natural preservatives like vitamin E and no artificial flavors, dyes, or additives.
Trusted, vet developed formulas
Dr. Goldstein is been in the veterinary field for over 45 years and has made a career out of healing dogs partly through his nutrition plans. Veterinary-endorsed diets are always a plus, and Dr. Goldstein's extensive background in veterinary medicine offers peace of mind to the brand's loyal patrons. We've even awarded this brand an extra half-star for being vet-developed!
No low-quality fillers
According to the website, the recipes are comprised of 95% animal proteins, including muscle meat, fish, and organs. You'll never see any corn, wheat, soy, or other low-quality fillers when scanning the ingredients list on Dr. Marty cat food.
Concerns & considerations
Overall, Dr. Marty Nature's Feast is quality cat food that can benefit most felines (barring certain dietary restrictions.) However, there are a few things to keep in mind before choosing this food. Here are some things to consider if you plan to give this brand a try.
Difficulties ordering from the official website
Some reviewers have reported shipping delays and less-than-ideal customer service experiences. This is something to consider if you are running low on food and need your shipment sooner rather than later. Reviewers recommend ordering from an authorized retailer like the 1-800-Pet Meds website rather than buying from the official site.
Limited variety
With just four recipes, the limited variety offered by Dr Marty pet foods can make navigating
allergens or
picky eaters difficult. We always prefer to see a variety of flavors, dietary formulas, and food textures since this creates more options for pet families with dietary restrictions or food preferences.
Risks associated with raw foods
Any
raw food product comes with potential risks. The primary concern with these diets is they are at higher risk for foodborne bacteria like
Salmonella or
E. coli. Proper handling and storage are crucial, but there are still inherent risks (for both pets and humans), even with precautions.
What pet parents say about Dr. Marty Nature's Feast cat food
"My fur babies love Dr. Marty's Nature blend. They love it over their dry kibble, and prefer it wet. My deliveries are on time, and come pretty quick. Been a subscriber for a long time. Will not change. Just wish the bag was bigger."
"Like anything new, my cats had to adjust to the taste. Now that they have they both love it and I feel good giving them a healthy option."
Dr. Marty Nature's Feast cat food history
The history of Dr. Marty pet foods is an interesting one, and it all begins with a veterinarian named Dr. Martin Goldstein. In the 1970s, Dr. Goldstein developed some health problems and began researching holistic diets to help restore his energy. He claims this new way of eating significantly impacted his health, so he developed a similar diet plan for his canine clients, starting with a furry patient named Kaiser. Pet parents raved about the difference in this lifestyle for their pets and helped Dr. Goldstein rise to fame.
In 2017, Dr. Goldstein had the vision to bring his macrobiotic and ancestral diet plan to the masses with commercial pet food, and thus, Dr. Marty pet food was born. Since the brand's birth, they've seen great success, amassing over 8 million units in sales. According to an article by
Business Insider, "On average, Dr. Marty Pets has grown at a rapid 20% per year."
In 2023, Dr. Marty opened Golden Pet Manufacturing in Richland, Wisconsin, to help keep up with this demand. This production facility was opened under a Dr. Marty affiliate brand, (Golden Hippo) and is focused on improved sustainability practices including recycling waste and using more energy-efficient machinery.
Dr. Marty Nature's Feast cat food recalls
Dr. Marty cat food has never been recalled as of March 2025.
Images sourced from Dr Marty Pets website. Copyright California Pet Partners, LLC.
FAQ
Is Dr. Marty cat food raw?
Yes, Dr. Marty cat food is still considered raw, even though it goes through the freeze-drying process.
Is freeze-dried raw cat food safe for cats?
Raw food in any form (freeze-dried, air-dried, or fresh) comes with higher risks for bacterial contamination and can expose both pets and the humans serving the food to harmful bacteria. That said, there are manufacturing and quality control practices that help prevent these contaminated products from reaching consumers. However, these measures are not foolproof.
Does Dr. Marty have wet foods for cats?
Unfortunately, Dr. Martys only offers dry foods, supplements, and treats at this time.
Is Dr. Marty Nature's Feast formulated to meet AAFCO standards?
All Dr. Marty cat food products are formulated to meet
AAFCO nutrient profile guidelines for adult cats.
How does Wag! determine paw ratings for pet food?
Our editorial team conducts independent research when choosing which foods to feature and how to rate them. Our paw ratings are largely based on the ingredients and nutritional content of each food. Here’s a quick guide to what our paw ratings mean:
- 1 paw: High filler content, meat not listed as first ingredient
- 2 paws: Meat meal, bone meal or meat by-products listed as first ingredient
- 3 paws: Named meat listed as first ingredient (e.g., chicken)
- 4 paws: Same as 3 paws, but also made with whole, limited ingredients and minimal processing
- 5 paws: Same as 4 paws, but is also veterinarian or veterinary body approved and includes human-grade ingredients
- Half-paws may be awarded for extra benefits, like affordability, trustworthiness, etc.