Deboned Duck

Deboned duck is duck meat with the bones removed, used as a named protein in some cat foods. Cornell Feline Health Center describes cats as obligate carnivores that rely on nutrients from animal products. Duck is a little higher in fat than chicken, so it carries more calories per gram. For a cat with a medical condition, weight concerns or a food allergy, ask your veterinarian.

Source: vet.cornell.edu

Deboned duck is used as an alternative to chicken. Many cats have not eaten duck before, so it is common in recipes built around a less familiar protein. It adds iron and B vitamins, and its flavor is one cats tend to accept. Because it is fresh meat, it is mostly water when it goes into the mix.

There is little difference beyond the wording. Deboned duck tells you the bones were removed before the meat went in, while duck alone may or may not include bone. Both are fresh meat that is mostly water. Pettings tracks them as separate label names but scores both 5 out of 5 as named animal protein.

Only with care. Tufts veterinary nutritionists say several studies have found that many over-the-counter diets contain ingredients not listed on the label, which can spoil a food allergy trial. They recommend a veterinary diet, such as a hydrolyzed one, or a carefully made home-cooked diet for elimination trials. A duck recipe from the store is not the same as a veterinary trial diet.

Source: sites.tufts.edu

Pettings gives deboned duck 5 out of 5 and lists it as a named animal protein. It appears on 2 of the 149 dry cat foods we list. The score looks at the ingredient only. Each food's page shows how that food scores overall.