Health Extension Cat Food Review 2025

Health Extension is a holistic pet food brand producing scientifically proven recipes loaded with locally sourced superfoods. From improving digestion to promoting a healthy heart, Heath Extension claims to cover all areas of health with its nutrient-rich pet foods.

We rate Health Extension 4.5 out of 5 paws up. Its overall ingredient quality is top-tier, blending real meat and local produce for a natural approach to pet nutrition. However, Health Extension misses out on a top rating due to its use of plant protein and the high fat levels in some foods.

Keep scrolling for our in-depth, unbiased Health Extension cat food review, where we examine individual product ranges, recalls, ingredient quality, and consumer reviews.

Health Extension serves up a small cat food range consisting of two kibbles and nine canned cat food recipes.

All Health Extension dry cat foods are "complete and balanced," according to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), and suitable for all life stages. Health Extension wet cat foods are formulated for adult maintenance and growth.

Health Extension dry cat food

Health Extension offers two dry food options: one grain-free and one grain-inclusive.

Both foods are premium quality, with a real cut of meat as the top ingredient. Meat meals serve as a secondary protein source. While highly processed, meat meals are packed with protein, with 300% more than unprocessed meat.

Health Extension Chicken & Brown Rice includes brown rice and oatmeal as the primary grains. While grains have low nutritional value to cats and are generally considered filler, brown rice is among the best grains in cat foods. It's high in fiber and other nutrients like magnesium and vitamin B6.

Other secondary ingredients include flaxseed and menhaden fish meal, which are high in omega fatty acids. Cranberries and blueberries are antioxidant sources, while sweet potatoes support digestion.

Compared to other grain-inclusive cat foods, Health Extension Chicken & Brown Rice is an excellent choice for your feline friend.

Health Extension Grain-Free Chicken & Salmon lists deboned turkey and deboned salmon as the top ingredients, with meat meals as a secondary protein.

Chickpeas and lentils replace brown rice and oatmeal in this recipe. Chickpeas and lentils are high in fiber and other nutrients like folates. But they're also plant-based proteins, which can inflate the protein levels in cat foods without providing the same value as animal-based proteins.

Health Extension Grain-Free Chicken & Salmon incorporates numerous nutritious fruits and vegetables in this recipe, including carrots, pumpkin, blackberries, pomegranate, cranberries, and raspberries. Overall it's a great grain-free dry food for your cat—highly recommended.

On average, Health Extension dry cat foods contain above-average protein (38.6% as dry matter) and slightly above-average fat (18.2% as dry matter) compared to standard dry cat foods.

Health Extension dry cat food flavors:

• Grain-Free Chicken & Salmon
• Chicken & Brown Rice

Health Extension wet cat food

Health Extension canned wet foods are all essentially the same aside from their different protein sources. They contain only a handful of ingredients aside from supplemental vitamins and minerals. These limited-ingredient formulas are a good choice for cats with food allergies or sensitivities.

Each recipe lists one or several quality cuts of meat within the top five ingredients. Other common top five ingredients in these wet foods include tapioca starch, pea protein, and tricalcium phosphate.

Tapioca starch is a natural carbohydrate used as a thickening agent. Tricalcium phosphate is an emulsifier and a source of calcium and phosphorus.

Pea protein can consist of up to 80% protein and is a good source of nutrients like vitamin A and thiamine. That said, pea protein isn't a complete protein for cats and is often used to raise the protein levels in cat food without offering the same benefits as animal-based protein.

While all Health Extension wet cat food recipes are high in protein, some are significantly higher in fats than others.

For example, the Grain Free Beef and Salmon recipe contains 38% fat as dry matter, making it likely unsuitable for obese and diabetic cats. Grain Free Chicken Paté and Grain Free Chicken in Gravy also include over 27% fat as dry matter.

On average, Health Extension wet cat food contains high protein levels (57.5% as dry matter) and above-average fat (18.7% as dry matter) compared to standard cat foods.

It's worth noting that most Health Extension wet foods comprise only 12.5% fat as dry matter.

Health Extension wet cat food flavors:

• Grain Free Chicken Paté
• Grain Free Chicken & Pumpkin
• Grain Free Chicken & Duck
• Grain Free Tilapia & Tuna
• Grain Free Tuna & Prawns
• Grain Free Chicken in Gravy
• Grain Free Chicken & Tuna
• Grain Free Beef & Salmon
• Grain Free Chicken & Salmon

Keep reading for a few reasons why we give Health Extension cat food a near-flawless 4.5 out of 5!

High protein levels

Health Extension cat foods include sky-high protein levels, providing your tiny tiger with all the energy they need to grow, play, and explore. Its wet foods are especially high in protein—some recipes contain over 60% protein as dry matter.  

While plant protein can inflate the protein levels in cat foods, all Health Extension formulas list one or more meats as top ingredients.

Superfoods

Health Extension boasts its use of 30 superfoods in its recipes, providing felines and canines with an all-natural nutrient boost.

Many nutrient-rich superfoods in Health Extension's pet foods, like pomegranate, ginger, and turmeric, are unusual in cat foods, suggesting Health Extension's recipes are premium quality.

No artificial ingredients

Health Extension uses only the highest quality ingredients in its recipes—no GMOs, artificial preservatives, or harmful food coloring in these recipes! Plus, all its meat and fish are 100% hormone and antibiotic-free.

So, you can feed your feline friend Health Extension, knowing they're not eating anything artificial that might upset their stomach or cause health issues down the line.

Rigorous quality assurance testing

Health Extension cat food has never been recalled—thanks partly to the 140 quality checks it performs before, during, and after cooking.

From testing before cooking for E. coli and Salmonella to safety testing food before they're released to retailers, Health Extension goes above and beyond to ensure its foods are safe for your cat to consume.

While Health Extension is an excellent brand, it does have some downsides. Keep reading what to watch out for when buying Health Extension cat food.

Plant-based protein

Health Extension cat foods are high in protein, but it's unclear what percentage is plant-based. All Heath Extension recipes list produce high in plant-based proteins within the top five ingredients, whether it's pea protein or lentils.

While plant-based proteins offer many benefits, they're not complete proteins for cats as they don't include all the amino acids your cat needs to thrive. Plant-based proteins are usually a cost-effective replacement for meat used to inflate protein levels.

High fat levels

Perhaps the biggest downside to Health Extension cat foods is the fat levels in some of its formulas. Its dry foods contain 18.2% fat on average, while three of its wet foods have over 27% fat.

While these fat levels aren't a problem for healthy cats that live an active lifestyle, they can cause inactive or senior felines to gain weight. Excess weight could lead to more severe health issues, like heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis.

Most recipes contain chicken

Aside from its fish recipes, all Health Extension cat foods incorporate chicken—even its Grain Free Beef & Salmon wet food.

While this is fine for most felines, it could cause an issue if your cat has a chicken allergy or sensitivity. Studies suggest chicken is the most common meat allergy in cats after beef and fish.

"I use this food as a topper for my less expensive food for my 11 barn cats. It's adds flavor, quality, and nutrition to their standard canned food. They all seem to love it."

"I've tried numerous brands of cat food, but Health Extension has truly impressed me. My cats absolutely love the variety pack, and I feel good knowing they're getting high-quality, grain-free nutrition. Plus, with 24 cans in a case, it's a great value for the price."

Read more reviews on Chewy.

Health Extension recently celebrated its 60th anniversary—it was founded in 1963 as a small family-owned pet food company in New York.

Over the following decade, Health Extension grew quickly to become one of the leading holistic pet food brands nationwide. Today, Health Extension is still a New York-based company run by president and 3rd generation owner Brad Gruber.

In 2018, Health Extension branched out into the pet care niche by acquiring toy company Snugarooz. Health Extension's headquarters and distribution centers are located in Hauppauge, New York.

Health Extension cat food has never been recalled at the time of writing.