An independent look at what’s really in the can

Tailcan is a small independent project by people who got tired of squinting at cat food labels. Choosing food for a diabetic or kidney cat means comparing numbers the label doesn’t show, so we built the table we wanted: every can, broken down the same way.

We are not vets and Tailcan isn’t veterinary advice. It is a reference for comparing labels. Pet food brands can’t pay to be listed, to rank higher, or to change how their numbers are shown.

Every recipe starts from what is printed on the can: the guaranteed analysis, the calorie statement, the ingredient list and, where we can confirm it, the AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement. We take it from the maker’s own website first. When that page doesn’t show the full label, we use a large retailer’s page that does, and say so.

Each recipe page links the exact page we read and the date we checked it. If two sources disagree, we use the maker’s figure, or the newer label, and leave out recipes where we can’t tell which is right.

Labels don’t list carbohydrate, so it is worked out from what is listed: 100 − protein − fat − fiber − moisture − ash. When a label leaves out ash, we assume 2.5%, which is typical for wet food, and say so on the recipe page.

We then turn protein, fat and carbohydrate into a share of calories, using 3.5 calories per gram for protein and carbohydrate and 8.5 for fat. Those are the standard values used for pet food in the US. A can counts as low carb when carbohydrate is under 10% of its calories.

Phosphorus is converted to milligrams per 100 calories using the can’s own calorie figure, so a watery can and a dense one compare fairly. Under 200 mg per 100 kcal is marked lower phosphorus, a broad everyday guide rather than a kidney diet. 37 of the 144 cans have a published phosphorus value.

High protein means at least 50% of calories from protein. Allergy tags look at the whole ingredient list: chicken broth, chicken fat, poultry by-products and liver without a named animal all count as chicken, and fish oil counts as fish.

A can is marked suitable for kittens only when we could read “growth” or “all life stages” in its AAFCO statement; retailer tags and marketing text don’t count. We have confirmed the statement for 137 of the 144 cans so far.

Recipes change, and we can get things wrong. If a number, ingredient or statement on Tailcan doesn’t match the can in your hand, please tell us. Every recipe page has a Report a correction link that opens an email with the page already filled in.

1. Tell us which can. The recipe page link, or brand, recipe name and can size.
2. Tell us what’s different. The number or ingredient that doesn’t match.
3. Send a photo if you can. A clear picture of the label’s guaranteed analysis and calorie statement is the fastest way for us to check.

We check every report against the maker’s current label. When we change a recipe, its “checked” date on the page moves to the day we fixed it. The full table is free to download as a CSV file, so anyone can check our working.

Guaranteed analysis values are minimums and maximums, not exact amounts. Two cans with the same numbers can differ in ingredient quality and how well a cat digests them. Always check the can you buy, and ask your vet before changing food for a cat with diabetes, kidney disease or allergies.