Budget-Friendly Canned Cat Food That Actually Scores High: Meow Mix Pâté & Chunks
As a small animal veterinarian, I’m always on the hunt for affordable cat foods that don’t sacrifice nutrition — especially high-moisture canned options that help keep our obligate carnivore friends healthy and hydrated.
One of my amazing subscribers tipped me off about the new **Meow Mix wet food cups** (the little pull-tab tubs), and I was blown away. These are some of the cheapest canned foods on the market, yet when I ran them through my **feline-specific Pet Food Scoring System (PSS)**, they scored shockingly well — especially for adult and senior cats.
Let’s break it down.
The Two Varieties I Tested
1. **Meow Mix Tender Favorites® Poultry & Beef Variety Pack – Pâté in Gravy** (focus on the tuna/poultry versions)
2. **Meow Mix Tasty Layers® Chunks in Gravy** (seafood/select varieties)
Both come in convenient 2.75 oz cups and are formulated for adult maintenance (huge plus — no “all life stages” over-supplementation here).
My Feline Pet Food Scoring System Results
| Meow Mix Pâté in Gravy | **9 out of 10** | **8 out of 10** | Excellent protein (50% DMB adjusted), perfect minerals, taurine spot-on |
| Meow Mix Chunks in Gravy | **8 out of 10** | **8 out of 10** | Slightly higher fiber (8.8% — still safe), lower calories per cup |
Yes, you read that right — a grocery-store brand Meow Mix just scored higher than many “premium” foods I’ve reviewed.
Real-World Cost Breakdown (as of Nov 2025)
Pâté in Gravy (higher calorie density — 78 kcal/cup)**
- Chewy.com: ~$8.40 for a 12-pack
- Feed 3 cups/day for a 10–12 lb cat → **≈ $2.10 per day**
Chunks in Gravy (lower calorie density — 66 kcal/cup)**
- Petco.com: ~$9.48 for a 12-pack (use my link/code in description for extra savings)
- Feed 4–5 cups/day → **≈ $3.16 per day** (still cheaper than most vet-recommended canned foods)
That’s less than many dry foods — and it’s wet food!
Who These Foods Are Perfect For
- Budget-conscious cat parents who want high-moisture without breaking the bank
- Adult cats (especially 1–10 years)
- Senior cats (the lower phosphorus in the pâté is particularly senior-friendly)
- Cats who refuse dry food or need more water intake
- Multi-cat households — these cups make portion control easy
Final Verdict from Dr. Rea
Meow Mix wet cups are officially added to my “Approved Budget Canned Foods” playlist.
Don’t let the brand name fool you — the numbers don’t lie.
If you want the exact scorecards with all my math, head over to the shop and download the free feline PSS scorecard + the completed Meow Mix sheets:
And if you haven’t already, grab my **Complete Cat Nutrition Workbook** — it walks you step-by-step through my scoring system, texture preferences, food aversion science, and how to transition even the pickiest cats.
Have you tried the Meow Mix cups yet? Drop your cat’s verdict in the comments — I read every single one!
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Let’s keep proving that great nutrition doesn’t have to be expensive! 🐱❤️
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