N&D Canned Cat Food: Calories and Meat Content in a 70 g Can

A 70-gram can of wet food looks small, but with N&D, the energy inside this can is around 76 kcal; this accounts for about one-third of the daily energy of a 4 kg sterilised cat. In this article, we converted the packaging analysis of the 9 N&D cat canned foods in our catalog to a dry matter basis and calculated the calories per can. There is also an additional distinction in this brand's packaging analysis: the energy value is actually stated on most products.

Why is calorie calculation more reliable in N&D?

For most wet foods, only the percentages of protein, fat, ash, fiber, and moisture are written on the packaging, and calories must be estimated from these percentages. However, for 5 of N&D's cat canned foods, the manufacturer declares the "metabolizable energy" value in kcal/kg. This makes two things possible: providing the energy per can with real values instead of estimates, and testing the Atwater estimation method we previously used in our Royal Canin wet food analysis against these declarations.

Estimation method tested against declared values

The method is simple: 3.5 kcal per gram of protein and carbohydrate, 8.5 kcal per gram of fat. Carbohydrate is the portion remaining after subtracting protein, fat, ash, fiber, and moisture. We compared this estimate with the manufacturer's declaration for 5 N&D products:

Estimates fall on average 6.2% below the declared value (with differences ranging between 4.6% and 9.9%). Therefore, when calculating energy per can for products without a declaration, we marked the value as an "estimate" and suggest keeping in mind that the real figure might be slightly higher.

Table: 9 cans, dry matter and calories

All cans are 70 g. The sorting is from lowest to highest energy density.

Findings from the table

1. Moisture is around 75–76% in all products. Therefore, raw percentages are already close among N&D canned foods; the difference is primarily determined by fat and protein ratios. Dry matter protein ranges between 46% and 63%.

2. There is a 40% difference between the lightest and most dense can. Quinoa Weight Management Quinoa and Lamb Canned Cat Food is the lowest on the list at approximately 84 kcal/100 g, while Prime Lamb and Blueberry Canned Cat Food is the highest at 118 kcal/100 g. This means 59 versus 83 kcal per can.

3. Lamb recipes stand out on the fat side. In the Prime Lamb and Blueberry Canned Cat Food, fat is 7.5%; chicken and fish recipes range between 4% and 5.2%. Consequently, the energy of lamb is higher; this difference should be reflected in the portion for a cat prone to weight gain.

4. The Weight Management recipe increases fiber and lowers fat. In the Quinoa Weight Management Quinoa and Lamb Canned Cat Food, fat is 3% and crude fiber is 2.3%; this is the lowest fat and highest fiber on the list. The result, as seen in the table, is the lightest recipe on the list: approximately 84 kcal/100 g (since it is an estimate, the actual value may be slightly higher), which is about 29% less energy than the most dense recipe.

5. Fish recipes peak in protein. In the Ocean Tuna and Salmon Canned Cat Food, protein is 15% (62.5% on a dry matter basis), and in the Ocean Kitten Tuna, Cod, Shrimp and Pumpkin Canned Cat Food, it is 15.5%. Ash content in these two recipes (3.3% and 3.9%) is also higher than the others, which is an expected pattern for fish-heavy formulas.

How much of the named ingredient is present?

The proportion of the ingredient appearing in the product name on labels is the most concrete clue to understanding the product. The Prime Chicken and Pomegranate recipe contains 45% chicken and 2% pomegranate. The Ocean Kitten recipe contains 50% tuna, 10% cod, 5% shrimp, and 5% pumpkin. The amounts of taurine and L-carnitine are also specified on the packaging for these products (taurine is 800 mg/kg in Prime Chicken, 935 mg/kg in Ocean Kitten).

How many cans per day?

As a rough reference, the daily energy for a 4 kg sterilised adult cat can be assumed to be approximately 238 kcal (roughly 1.2 times the resting energy of 70 × kg^0.75). If the canned food were the sole meal, the number of cans per product would be roughly as follows:

These numbers are for an average cat and will vary based on your cat's activity level and weight. For the exact amount, the feeding table on the packaging and veterinary advice should be the primary references. Weighing your cat weekly is a more reliable adjustment tool than counting cans.

Adding wet food alongside dry food

If you feed wet food in addition to dry food, you need to deduct the energy of the canned food from the dry food. Example: if your dry food is 3,800 kcal/kg, a can of Prime Chicken and Pomegranate Canned Cat Food (77 kcal) requires reducing the daily dry food portion by about 20 g. Read your own dry food's kcal/kg value from the packaging and perform the same calculation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is N&D canned cat food sufficient on its own?

Adult and kitten recipes are labeled as "complete food"; meaning they can be provided alone according to the packaging. Still, the daily amount should be adjusted according to the cat's weight, and the table on the packaging should be consulted.

Why is a 70-gram can so small?

Canned food contains about 75% water; a 70 g can contains approximately 17 g of dry matter. Therefore, the number of cans required to provide the same energy is much higher compared to dry food.

What is the difference between N&D Prime and Pumpkin series?

In the chicken and pomegranate recipes, analytical values (moisture, protein, fat, ash, fiber) are identical across both series; pumpkin is additionally added to the recipe in the Pumpkin series. Therefore, we used the energy value declared by Prime Chicken for Pumpkin Chicken in the table.

Which one is for kittens?

Ocean Kitten and Prime Kitten are recipes prepared for kittens, pregnant, and nursing cats. The daily amount for a kitten varies by age and weight; it should be calculated from the table on the packaging.

How long can opened canned food be stored?

It is generally recommended to consume it within a day or two when stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator; the storage instructions on the packaging must be followed.

Data source and limitations

All values are taken from the packaging analysis in the product records of our catalog; 9 products were included in the table because moisture, protein, fat, and ash information was complete. Products whose analyses are not in the records, such as Prime Kitten, were not included in the table. If the manufacturer changes the recipe, the values may change. This article is for general informational purposes; for cats with illnesses, pregnant, nursing, or senior cats, a veterinary consultation is required for a nutrition plan.

You can access all N&D products via the N&D brand page and other options in the category via the Cat Wet Food page.