Carnilove Cat Duck & Turkey Large Breed, 400 g is a dry food for adult cats of large breeds, made with duck and turkey. The manufacturer calls it a grain-free and potato-free formula. The recipe is built on duck meal (32%) and turkey meal (18%), plus deboned duck (5%) and chicken liver (3%). The food is positioned as holistic, and its energy value is 3950 kcal per kilogram. For the joints it contains sources of glucosamine and chondroitin and green-lipped mussel extract; for digestion it adds prebiotics and yucca.
Ingredients in detail
The first positions are animal ingredients: duck meal and turkey meal, followed by yellow peas (16%) and chicken fat (11%) preserved with tocopherols, that is, vitamin E. Next come deboned duck, chicken liver, salmon oil (1%), tapioca starch (3%), apples (6%), carrots, flaxseed, chickpeas and olive oil (0.8%). The functional additions are Perna canaliculus mussel extract (0.1%), green tea extract (0.1%), hydrolysed crustacean shells as a glucosamine source, cartilage extract as a chondroitin source, brewer's yeast (mannan-oligosaccharides) and chicory root (fructo-oligosaccharides). The list ends with Yucca schidigera extract, seaweed, plantain, thyme, rosemary, oregano, cranberries, blueberries and raspberries. Omega-3 is 0.25% and omega-6 is 2.50%.
Key specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | dry food, holistic class |
| For | adult cats of large breeds |
| Flavour | duck and turkey |
| Meat ingredients | duck meal 32%, turkey meal 18%, deboned duck 5%, chicken liver 3% |
| Grain and potato | none |
| Energy value | 3950 kcal/kg |
| Omega-3 / omega-6 | 0.25% / 2.50% |
| Pack size | 400 g |
Pros
- Meat-based. Four animal ingredients at the top of the list, 58% together by the stated shares.
- No grain or potato. Carbohydrates come from peas, tapioca and chickpeas.
- Joint support. Glucosamine, chondroitin and mussel extract matter for heavy cats.
- Prebiotics. Mannan- and fructo-oligosaccharides support the gut.
- Natural preservative. The fat is protected with tocopherols.
- 400 g bag. Easy to try before buying a big pack.
Cons and what to watch
- No guaranteed analysis. The card does not list protein, fat, fibre or ash — check the pack.
- Peas in third place. Part of the protein is plant-based.
- Contains chicken. Chicken fat and liver rule it out for cats allergic to chicken.
- Small joint doses. Glucosamine 0.026% and chondroitin 0.016% are support, not treatment.
- Small pack. A large cat will finish 400 g quickly.
Which cats it is for
The Large Breed line is designed for big adult cats such as Maine Coons, Norwegian Forest cats, Siberians and Ragdolls. These animals are heavier, build muscle over a longer period and put more load on their joints. That is why the recipe focuses on animal protein and additions for ligaments and cartilage. Feeding large breeds is covered in our article what to feed a Maine Coon. This food is not meant for kittens — they need a separate growth formula.
Grain-free formula: what it means
"Grain-free" means there is no wheat, corn, rice or other cereal in the food, and "potato-free" means the starch comes from other sources. Here that role is played by yellow peas, tapioca starch and chickpeas. A grain-free food is not automatically better than a regular one: what matters more is how much meat it contains and whether it suits your cat. The myths around such foods are covered in grain-free food: facts and myths. If your cat has reacted to cereals before, a formula like this makes choosing food easier.
Joints, skin and coat
Glucosamine and chondroitin are building blocks of cartilage, and green-lipped mussel extract is a traditional addition to joint-support foods. This food contains only small amounts, so if your cat already has joint problems, the vet may recommend a separate joint supplement. Salmon oil, olive oil and flaxseed work for the skin and coat. The omega-6 to omega-3 ratio in the food is roughly 10 to 1. With the right diet, the thick long coat of large breeds tangles less and shines more.
Digestion
Brewer's yeast and chicory root provide prebiotics, which feed the beneficial gut bacteria. Yucca schidigera extract is usually added to pet foods to reduce stool odour, while plantain and herbs round off the recipe. Apples and carrots add a little fibre. For cats that groom a lot, fibre helps move swallowed hair through the gut — see our article hairballs in cats: what to do.
How to switch your cat
A sudden change of food often ends with loose stools or refusal to eat. Switch gradually over 7–10 days: first add about a quarter of the new food to the usual one, then half, then three quarters, and only then give Carnilove on its own. If the stool becomes soft, stay at the previous step for a couple of days. A step-by-step plan is in our article how to switch your pet to a new food. The 400 g bag is just right for such a trial period.
How much to feed
Check the daily amount in the table on the pack: it depends on the cat's weight, age and activity. The food is fairly energy-dense at 3950 kcal/kg, so a less active indoor cat can easily overeat if you pour it by eye. Weigh the portion on kitchen scales and split it into two or three meals. Check your cat's weight once a month, because large cats tend to gain weight after neutering. How often to feed is covered in how many times a day to feed a cat.
Water and storage
A cat on dry food needs to drink a lot, so fresh water must always be available, ideally in two or three bowls in different places. More on this in how much water a cat should drink. Close an opened bag tightly and keep it in a dry, cool place away from sunlight and radiators. The oils and fats in the food oxidise over time, so a small pack that runs out quickly is actually an advantage. Storage tips are collected in how to store dry food.
Who it suits
The food suits owners of large adult cats who want a grain-free diet with a high meat share and joint additives. It does not suit cats allergic to chicken or kittens. If your cat needs a therapeutic diet, choose it together with your vet. Other options are in our collections holistic cat food and grain-free cat food, and in the dry cat food section.
Verdict
Carnilove Cat Duck & Turkey Large Breed is a grain-free, potato-free food for large cats: it is based on duck and turkey, contains glucosamine, chondroitin, mussel extract and prebiotics, and its fat is preserved with tocopherols. The downsides are that the card gives no protein or fat analysis, peas are in third place, and the chicken in the recipe rules it out for cats allergic to it.
FAQ
Which cats is this food for?
Adult cats of large breeds.
Does it contain grain?
No, it is a grain-free and potato-free formula.
What meat is in it?
Duck meal (32%), turkey meal (18%), deboned duck (5%) and chicken liver (3%).
Is it suitable for cats allergic to chicken?
No, it contains chicken fat and chicken liver.
Are there joint additives?
Yes: sources of glucosamine and chondroitin and green-lipped mussel extract.
How many calories does it have?
3950 kcal/kg.
Can I give it to kittens?
No, kittens need a growth formula.
