Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken Entree & Mixer Cat Food Crunchy Nibs, 8-oz bag

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At a Glance

  • Raw
  • Grain-Free
  • Gluten Free
  • Natural
  • Limited Ingredient Diet
  • High-Protein
  • Immune Support
  • Skin & Coat Health
  • Vitamins & Minerals
  • Made in USA
  • All Lifestages

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$23.99 Chewy Price
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About This Item

Details

  • This crunchy freeze-dried cat food is packed with extra protein from premium, butcher-cut chicken and offers complete and balanced nutrition for your feline.
  • Made in the USA using high-quality proteins sourced from local American farms.
  • Premium raw muscles and organs provide a natural source of vitamins and minerals to support energetic play, healthy skin, a shiny coat, strong teeth, and essential gut health.
  • Vital Essentials cat food and treats are crafted with farm-raised, humanely harvested proteins, going above industry standards to preserve their natural flavor and nutrients.
  • With whole animal protein and no fillers, dyes, flavorings, artificial preservatives, legumes, grains, or by-products, these crunchy nibs are great for picky eaters and pets with allergies.

Ingredient Information

Feeding Instructions

Raw Feeding Made Simple

Feeding just 20% raw can boost your pet’s health, and Vital Essentials makes it easy. Made with whole-animal, butcher cut protein and no fillers or artificial additives. Feed as a meal or mixer for simple, complete raw nutrition.

Even 20% Makes A Difference

Every pet deserves the benefits of raw protein. Try adding raw meals weekly, mix raw in with kibble, or offer it as a treat. Even a small amount—just 20% of their daily intake—can make a big difference in their health.

No Shortcuts. Only Butcher Cuts.

Vital Essentials butcher cut protein is made with carefully sourced, farm-raised meats. It’s ground once and freeze-dried a full 48 hours at their state-of-the-art USA facility to lock in the nutrients your pet deserves.

Today’s Special: Lifelong Vitality

Support your pet's health with Vital Essentials. Protein-rich diets promote strong muscles—ideal for active pets. Help boost immunity, musculature, and heart health with their range of butcher cut protein freeze-dried raw recipes.

About Vital Essentials

Vital Essentials creates healthy, delicious, and biologically appropriate food using real, ethically sourced meat and premium ingredients. Made right here in the USA, because your best friend deserves nothing less.

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Questions & Answers

21 Customer Questions

What is the carbohydrate % of this food?

Answer by Chewy • Jan 15, 2020
The carbohydrate content of all Vital Essentials proteins and entrees is less than 1.0%. This limited amount comes from the natural sugar found in animal tissues.

What is the benefit of the raw goat milk in this food?

Answer by Chewy • Apr 20, 2018
Full of trace minerals, vitamins, electrolytes, trace elements, enzymes, protein and fatty acids, unpasteurized goat’s milk is incredibly easy for our dogs and cats to digest and utilize. It lessens mucous and inflammation and has tremendous immune boosting properties.

Since the food is raw (uncooked), where does the 6.74% ash content come from?

Answer by Chewy • Oct 14, 2020
Ash is what's left over after the food is completely cooked. Every food will contain ash content as mineral nutrients are essential. If you were to completely incinerate food, all three major nutrients (protein, fat and carbohydrates) would burn away, leaving just the food’s minerals behind. Mineral nutrients (like calcium, phosphorous, zinc, iron, etc.) make up ash, the ultimate residue of food combustion.

Can I give this to a kitten?

Answer by Chewy • Mar 10, 2024
This food is formulated for all life stages.
Reviews
Write a Review
4.1
Rated 4.1 out of 5 stars
330 Ratings
Terms & Conditions

Customers Mention

Chewy identifies key considerations with the help of artificial intelligence and our veterinarians.

Freeze-Drying Process

64% Positive

Ingredients

78% Positive

Nutritional Value

80% Positive

Palatability

64% Positive

179 Customer Reviews

Rated 2 out of 5 stars
By Susanna on Jan 4, 2026

cat hated it.

gave it a try. cat hated it. used it as treats for my dogs who also werent keen on it. others may have success

gave it a try. cat hated it. used it as treats for my dogs who also werent keen on it. others may have success

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Nadine on Nov 12, 2025

Best for cats

This is another one of the whole raw food items that I just recently started buying for my cats, they have fewer upset tummies when they eat this food.

This is another one of the whole raw food items that I just recently started buying for my cats, they have fewer upset tummies when they eat this food.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars
By Michelle on Aug 17, 2025

My cat hates it

I'm sure it's a great food, my dog eats their food but the cat will not eat this at all. I left a bowl out for weeks now and he has not touched a single piece

I'm sure it's a great food, my dog eats their food but the cat will not eat this at all. I left a bowl out for weeks now and he has not touched a single piece. If your cat is used to crunchy kibble, they may not eat this. I'm also unhappy with Chewy ignoring my email when I stated my cat will not eat this food - not a single piece of it. I was ignored. Yet if I bought this locally, like I should have, I could have walked it right back into the store and gotten an immediate refund. Chewy seems to ignore complaints now which is really lovely.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Susan on Dec 13, 2025

My kitties LOVE

Both my cats really love this. I give it to them by itself, and sometimes as a topper!

Both my cats really love this. I give it to them by itself, and sometimes as a topper!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Elizabeth on Oct 5, 2025

Fast Shipping

This stuff is expensive but my cats gobble it up in lieu of the type of kibble that gives cats kidney disease.

This stuff is expensive but my cats gobble it up in lieu of the type of kibble that gives cats kidney disease.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By marion on Jul 26, 2025

Only natural dry food that works

My cat has IBS and is sensitive to any preservatives in normal kibble. He can’t even have a little bit, it will make him sick. This is the only type of dry food

My cat has IBS and is sensitive to any preservatives in normal kibble. He can’t even have a little bit, it will make him sick. This is the only type of dry food he can eat and it’s packed with natural nutrients and protein. Amazing product

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Sally on Sep 16, 2025

Amazing Treat

My 5 cats love these mini nibs. But they are so expensive for 5 so I give them as treats. They paw at the cupboard for more!

My 5 cats love these mini nibs. But they are so expensive for 5 so I give them as treats. They paw at the cupboard for more!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars
By Annette on Aug 18, 2025

Good quality for the finickiest cat ever.

Good quality, very expensive. Shape isn't always the same. Sometimes they're larger so I recommend cutting the large pieces. Our cat throws up when they are too

Good quality, very expensive. Shape isn't always the same. Sometimes they're larger so I recommend cutting the large pieces. Our cat throws up when they are too big.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Rachel on May 20, 2025

Expensive but she likes 'em

My cat enjoys most of the Vital Essential treats line. Some of the reviews here suggest there have been some formula changes, I don't think I've been buying it quite

My cat enjoys most of the Vital Essential treats line. Some of the reviews here suggest there have been some formula changes, I don't think I've been buying it quite long enough to tell / my cat isn't quite that picky. I mix a whole bag of this in with a small bag of her dry food as an attempt to make her dry food more enticing, and I think it works as I never see the nibs on her plate, she obviously eats them first. I might not recommend this if your cat has trouble eating hard foods, eg if they're missing some teeth. Pro tip: the 'dog' version of this food has identical ingredients, near identical nutritional info, and is normally cheaper than the 'cat' version per ounce. This is true for many of Vital Essential treats, although I highly recommend double checking.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars
By Stephanie on Sep 8, 2025

Good kibble alternative

My cat grew a bit tired of these so I had to mix them with the VE rabbit flavor. I’ll stick to her favorite rabbit and pork flavors

My cat grew a bit tired of these so I had to mix them with the VE rabbit flavor. I’ll stick to her favorite rabbit and pork flavors