Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Duck 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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$29.99 Chewy Price
($3.75 /oz)
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About This Item

Details

  • This crunchy freeze-dried cat food is packed with extra protein from premium, butcher-cut duck and offers complete and balanced nutrition for your feline.
  • Made in the USA using high-quality proteins sourced from trusted European 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

5 Customer Questions

Is Vital Essentials for cats a raw diet? Doesn't say on package.

Answer by Chewy • Apr 01, 2018
The formula is a Raw Freeze-Dried diet.

Does this food have taurine in it? Can't find it on ingredients list. If it does, how much? Thank you

Answer by Chewy • Feb 21, 2019
The Taurine content is 0.23% on an as fed basis.

What is the carb count or percentage?

Answer by Chewy • Jul 16, 2019
This freeze-dried food contains approximately 24% carbohydrates on an as fed basis.

Are these freeze-dried nibs small enough to flow through an automatic servings feeder?

Answer by Chewy • Jan 23, 2019
The mini nibs are approximately 1/4" to 3/4" in length and are no bigger than 1/2" in width.
Reviews
Write a Review
4.1
Rated 4.1 out of 5 stars
107 Ratings
Terms & Conditions

Customers Mention

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

Freeze-Drying Process

89% Positive

Ingredients

86% Positive

Nutritional Value

90% Positive

Palatability

72% Positive

69 Customer Reviews

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Robin on Oct 16, 2025

Healthy

I order this in 3 different meat flavors. My cats get it as a treat or supplement aside from their canned food. It’s the only brand of this kind of food I’ll buy

I order this in 3 different meat flavors. My cats get it as a treat or supplement aside from their canned food. It’s the only brand of this kind of food I’ll buy. It’s completely all real plain meat that is freeze dried. Not coated in flavored powder like dry kibble in a bag at the grocery store! This is raw meat that has nothing added and very healthy. My cats love it. I buy 3 different meats and give them a little beside their canned food. It’s on auto ship!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars
By Charmmy on Dec 18, 2025

Smell really good

It’s a little bit hard, so I use it as a mixer. Both of my cats refused to eat it at first after taking their first bite, but after a few days, it was fine.

It’s a little bit hard, so I use it as a mixer. Both of my cats refused to eat it at first after taking their first bite, but after a few days, it was fine.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars
By Brian on Nov 19, 2025

Wife not here when ordered

She ordered this with my email account, and wanted me to deliver this to her over 2 hours away. When she secretly moved out In the middle of the night and stole

She ordered this with my email account, and wanted me to deliver this to her over 2 hours away. When she secretly moved out In the middle of the night and stole my cats. Forgot to update that address

Rated 4 out of 5 stars
By Dorothy on Oct 7, 2025

Nice size nibs good for topper on food.

She loves the rabbit nibs but they are really expensive so I use them as a topper although she would eat a meal of them. Good crunch to help clean teeth. Not as

She loves the rabbit nibs but they are really expensive so I use them as a topper although she would eat a meal of them. Good crunch to help clean teeth. Not as crazy about the duck so I crushed them a little and she has started to eat them also. Overall good quality product.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Carole on Jan 6, 2026

Limited ingredients

My cat is a duck fan and picks this out from the chicken kibble in her bowl .

My cat is a duck fan and picks this out from the chicken kibble in her bowl .

Rated 3 out of 5 stars
By lily on Oct 12, 2025

Idk

Well idk if they like it or not is kinda like a live hate relationship sometimes they love it sometimes they hate it idk chewy already gave a refund but idk if I

Well idk if they like it or not is kinda like a live hate relationship sometimes they love it sometimes they hate it idk chewy already gave a refund but idk if I will repurchase or not

Rated 2 out of 5 stars
By Marcia on Oct 16, 2025

My cats sometimes eat a bit of it

I need special food for my 2 IBD cats and hope the other 3 will eat it. They do usually eat a few pieces but are not thrilled.

I need special food for my 2 IBD cats and hope the other 3 will eat it. They do usually eat a few pieces but are not thrilled.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Anna on Dec 31, 2025

Hi Quality

This food is awesome. My cats love it! I use it as treats.

This food is awesome. My cats love it! I use it as treats.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars
By Heidi on May 9, 2025

FDR vital essentials Duck

Good quality, as usual from Vital Essentials but not as popular of a flavor as chicken and pork among my cats.

Good quality, as usual from Vital Essentials but not as popular of a flavor as chicken and pork among my cats.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars
By James on Nov 10, 2024

Bad lot? Normally a great product.

Lot: 048795 something isn't right. Cat refused to eat it when he normally gobbles up this flavor. Fed him a new bag from a different lot (048658) and he ate it

Lot: 048795 something isn't right. Cat refused to eat it when he normally gobbles up this flavor. Fed him a new bag from a different lot (048658) and he ate it no problem. Color and size was different as well.