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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.  

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.

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!

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

"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."

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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 cat food has never been recalled as of March 2025.