Mars Sheba Premium Pate Beef (3 Oz)

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Sheba claims that it's "What Cats Want™", but is it a good choice for your cat? Find out in our unbiased Sheba cat food review.

The We're All About Cats Standard—Rating Sheba on What Matters

We've taken a close look at Sheba and graded it according to the We're All About Cats standard, evaluating the brand on species-appropriateness, ingredient quality, product variety, price, customer experience, and recall history.

Here's how it rates in each of these key areas.

Ratings

• Species-Appropriateness – 6/10
• Ingredient Quality – 6/10
• Product Variety – 5/10
• Price – 9/10
• Customer Experience – 8/10
• Recall History – 9/10

Overall Score: 7.2/10

In total, we give Sheba cat food a 43 out of 60 or a B grade.

Quick Look – Top 3 Recipes Reviewed

About Sheba

Sheba is a cat food brand created and manufactured by Mars, Inc., the world's highest-earning pet food company. In addition to Sheba, Mars owns and manufactures over 40 pet brands, including Whiskas, Royal Canin, Iams, and Crave.

Sourcing And Manufacturing

Most Sheba cat food is manufactured in the United States. Their Signature Broths line is made in Thailand and Sheba Meaty Tender Sticks treats are made in Austria.

According to a Sheba brand representative, most, but not all, of their ingredients are sourced from North America. Sheba doesn't specify exactly where all of their ingredients are sourced. Like all Mars brands and subsidiaries, Sheba participates in Mars' Responsible Sourcing program and holds suppliers to the Mars Supplier Code of Conduct.

Has Sheba Cat Food Been Recalled?

Sheba cat food has never been recalled, but its parent company has announced numerous recalls of other Mars cat food brands.

What Kinds Of Cat Food Does Sheba Offer?

Sheba offers a slim selection of wet cat food and treats. Thanks to the brand's focus on wet food, Sheba products are meat-heavy with minimal starches, plant protein, and other plant ingredients.

Sheba foods contain a combination of named meats and vague items like "fish" and "meat by-products". Some Sheba recipes contain "added color", a vague title referring to a variety of FDA-approved color additives, including synthetic dyes.

All Sheba cat foods are sold in twin packs of individually sealed 1.3-ounce servings. Though the portions are small, they enable cat owners to provide fresh entrees without any messy leftovers.

Sheba Perfect Portions are divided among the following product lines:

• Bistro
• Premium Pates
• Cuts in Gravy
• Garden Medleys

This brand also offers a small selection of Meaty Tender Sticks cat treats made with animal proteins like tuna, salmon, and chicken. These treats are soft and chewy which makes them easy to break into pieces. They also come individually wrapped to ensure freshness.

Sheba Cat Food – Top 3 Recipes Reviewed

#1 Sheba Perfect Portions Grain-Free Tender Whitefish & Tuna Entree Cat Food Review

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Chicken appears to be the primary protein source in this wet food formula.

This food features fresh chicken as the first ingredient which is a little misleading given the name of the recipe. Whitefish is listed fourth and tuna sixth.

Whitefish isn't a specific species of fish – the term refers to a variety of fish including cod, whiting, haddock, hake, pollock, and other bottom-feeding fish with fins. While fish is a rich source of protein and healthy fats, it generally isn't the best protein source for cats. Fish often contains high levels of heavy metals and other contaminants. As such, fish-based recipes from Sheba may best be reserved for occasional feeding.

Though whitefish and tuna are the ingredients for which this product is named, non-fish animal ingredients make up half of the main ingredients. In addition to chicken as the first ingredient, you'll find poultry liver and chicken broth within the top six.

This paté contains guar gum as a binder. While it's not a natural part of the feline diet, guar gum is generally considered safe. There are no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives in this recipe.

Overall, this meat-based food is high in protein with moderate levels of fat and low carbohydrate content. Each 1.3-ounce tray contains 38 calories or about 29 calories per ounce.

Ingredients

Chicken, Water, Poultry Liver, White Fish, Chicken Broth, Tuna, Guar Gum, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Fish Oil, Choline Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Tapioca Starch, DL-Methionine, Taurine, Salt, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex.

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein: 7%

Crude Fat: 2.5%

Crude Fiber: 1.5%

Moisture: 84%

Ash: 3.5%

Dry Matter Basis

Protein: 43.75%

Fat: 15.63%

Fiber: 9.38%

Carbs: 9.38%

Caloric Weight Basis

Protein: 48.04%

Fat: 41.67%

Carbs: 10.29%

Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, White Fish, Tuna, Fish Oil

Ingredients We Didn't Like: Poultry Liver

Common Allergens: Chicken, Fish

Pros

• Three named sources of animal protein in top 6 ingredients
• Negligible carbohydrate content
• Free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives

Cons

• Contains vaguely named poultry liver
• Fish-based foods aren't the best choice for daily feeding

#2 Sheba Perfect Portions Grain-Free Tender Beef Entree Cat Food Review

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Beef appears to be the primary source of protein in this wet cat food recipe.

This Perfect Portions pate-style cat food is made with fresh beef and chicken with supplemental protein from poultry liver. While vaguely named ingredients like poultry liver aren't necessarily harmful, it's difficult to assess their quality. We'd much prefer to see a named source like chicken liver.

Though this recipe doesn't include "artificial color," it does contain caramel color. This colorant is made by heating a sugar compound, so it is largely derived from natural sources. The FDA doesn't have an official definition for "natural color" in pet food, however, it might be considered an artificial color in some cases, depending how it's made.

Again this formula is thickened with starchy ingredients like guar gum and tapioca starch, but the total carbohydrate content is still extremely low.

Overall, this meat-rich food is high in protein with moderate fat and low carbohydrate content. There are 40 calories per 1.3-ounce serving, or about 31 calories per ounce.

Ingredients

Beef, Chicken, Water, Poultry Liver, Chicken Broth, Caramel Color, Guar Gum, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Fish Oil, Choline Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Tapioca Starch, DL-Methionine, Taurine, Salt, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex.

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein: 9%

Crude Fat: 5%

Crude Fiber: 1.5%

Moisture: 80%

Ash: 3%

Dry Matter Basis

Protein: 45%

Fat: 25%

Fiber: 7.5%

Carbs: 7.5%

Caloric Weight Basis

Protein: 39.75%

Fat: 53.63%

Carbs: 6.62%

Ingredients We Liked: Beef, Chicken, Fish Oil

Ingredients We Didn't Like: Poultry Liver

Common Allergens: Beef, Chicken

Pros

• Two quality animal proteins at the top of the list
• Extremely low in carbohydrates
• Free from artificial flavors and preservatives

Cons

• May contain artificial color
• Contains vaguely named poultry liver

#3 Sheba Perfect Portions Grain-Free Roasted Chicken Cuts in Gravy Entree Cat Food Review

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Chicken appears to be the primary source of protein in this formula.

For cats who prefer chunky food, this recipe is made with tender cuts of chicken in a flavorful gravy. With water as the first ingredient, followed by chicken, this is a moisture-rich recipe made primarily with animal ingredients.

While tapioca starch is used to thicken the gravy, the overall carbohydrate content of the formula is extremely low – roughly 2% as fed.

Like the previous two formulas, fish oil is the primary source of added fat. It's rich in omega-3 fatty acids, but it's difficult to tell which species of fish from which it is derived. The total fat content of this formula is only about 15% on a dry matter basis which is about 10% less than the previous recipe and the calorie content is the lowest of the three formulas reviewed.

Overall, this is a moderate-protein formula with fairly low fat and negligible carbohydrate content. Each 1.3-ounce serving contains 33 calories which averages to about 25 calories per ounce.

Ingredients

Water, Chicken, Poultry Liver, Animal Plasma, Tapioca Starch, Glycine, Fish Oil, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Natural Flavor, Magnesium Sulfate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Caramel Color, Choline Chloride, Taurine, DL-Methionine, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex.

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein: 7%

Crude Fat: 2.5%

Crude Fiber: 1.5%

Moisture: 84%

Ash: 3%

Dry Matter Basis

Protein: 43.75%

Fat: 15.63%

Fiber: 9.38%

Carbs: 12.5%

Caloric Weight Basis

Protein: 46.45%

Fat: 40.28%

Carbs: 13.27%

Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Fish Oil

Ingredients We Didn't Like: Poultry Liver

Common Allergens: Chicken

Pros

• Four out of the top 7 ingredients are animal-based
• Rich in moisture to support hydration
• Extremely low in carbohydrates, roughly 2% as fed

Cons

• Contains starchy thickeners
• Made with vaguely named poultry liver and animal plasma

What Do Customers Think Of Sheba Cat Food?

Most Sheba reviews are positive. Reviewers like that Sheba food is grain-free, meat-based, and affordable.

That said, Sheba also receives a number of complaints, with most of them revolving around packaging and quality control.

Customers complain that the Purrfect Portions plastic trays are hard to open, messy, and too small. At least two Chewy reviewers said that they found bugs in their Sheba food, but it's unclear who was at fault or how widespread the problem was. Another trend among negative customer reviews? Green food. Several customers say that, upon opening a package of Sheba, they found that the food was discolored.

Let's take a look at a few real customer reviews of popular Sheba cat foods.

Positive Reviews

"Jake likes them, I like thar they are grain free, gluten free (no kidding, wheat gluten to thicken sauces is all it takes for Jake to throw it back up – and if you watch, gluten is in some grain free food!), pre-portioned, and that Chewy's has such a deal on the bigger mixed packs :)." – DebD, reviewing Sheba Perfect Portions Grain-Free Beef Entrée

"She jumps right up to her dish every night waiting to be served. And just a hint, shake it down away from where you open it and the gravy doesn't come spilling out when you pop them open. I love they are just the right amount. No leftovers to try and seal up and she has a fresh meal every day. I use this to supplement her dry food. I also love that I can get these in just chicken since she turns her nose up at anything fish flavored (never thought I'd see a cat do that)." – Kristi, reviewing Sheba Perfect Portions Roasted Chicken Cuts in Gravy

Negative Reviews

"More difficult to open and juice sprays when you break seal. Canned is cleaner and easier. Plus you get a little more with cans" – khamel, reviewing Sheba Perfect Portions Whitefish & Tuna Entrée

"I got this package today, and I'm giving it 2 stars mainly because my cat only loves this variety so I'll keep ordering it and the customer service over the phone was fast and simple..but my package today was infested with beettle larva and the smell that came from the package was horrendous. I immediately called and got a new package sent out. Customer service was great but oh my gosh, I've never had to deal with something like this. The expiration date on the food was 2019 so I don't understand why these bugs would be all over this as well as the smell being so bad. I hope to not deal with this again in the future." – Ollie, reviewing Sheba Perfect Portions Roasted Chicken Slices in Gravy

How Much Does Sheba Cat Food Cost?

Sheba is one of the more affordable cat food brands on the market per ounce and it's easy to find in stores. Because Sheba cat foods are sold in small servings and have low calorie content, however, it can be pricey to feed as a staple diet.

Averaging about $22 for a 24-piece case of 2.6-ounce twin packs, Sheba cat food costs about $0.36 per ounce. This puts Sheba in a similar price range as Natural Balance and Blue Buffalo wet foods, but it is more highly rated than both these brands.

To feed the average 10-pound cat Sheba cat food, it would cost between $2.19 and $2.72 per day. It may be most cost effective to use Sheba cat food as a supplemental diet.

Overall, Is Sheba A Good Choice?

Sheba cat food certainly isn't flawless, but it's a fairly affordable brand and it's one of the easiest to find. It's sold in pet stores as well as grocery stores and general retailers.

This brand primarily uses named sources of animal protein, though there are typically a few vaguely named organ meats and fats thrown in. Sheba cat foods have been reformulated somewhat recently and no longer contain meat and poultry by-products. This resulted in a bit of a price hike but makes the food a more appropriate choice for cats.

Sheba receives primarily positive customer reviews and hasn't ever been recalled, so it appears to be a reliable, safe brand.

Where Is Sheba Cat Food Sold?

Like most Mars cat food brands, Sheba is available in a variety of stores, ranging from pet specialty retailers to big box stores and groceries. Online, you can find it on Petco.com, Chewy, Amazon, and other online retailers that sell cat food.

Click here to shop for Sheba cat food on Chewy.

We are not affiliated with Sheba or Mars, Inc. in any way.

If you have a complaint or question regarding quality control issues, ingredients, or media related to Sheba cat food, you may get in contact with Sheba customer support via their contact form.

About the author

Mallory Crusta is a writer and adventurecat enthusiast on a mission to make cats' lives extraordinary. She's one of the founders of Wildernesscat – a site for happy, healthy, and adventurous cats who are fueled by nature. Visit Wildernesscat for radically natural cat nutrition, home remedies, and lifestyle inspiration.

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Source: https://allaboutcats.com/reviews/sheba-cat-food

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