Meow Mix Original Choice vs Purina Cat Chow Complete with Salmon

Order follows the Universal Score — the same deterministic engine, the same rules, for every product. Brands can't pay for placement.

The scores

Purina Cat Chow Complete with Salmon

61

Good · Confidence A

Meow Mix Original Choice

59

Mediocre · Confidence A

Bowlmark scores are independent opinions based on published label information and cited references. They are educational, not veterinary advice, and no substitute for your vet — especially for medical conditions or prescription diets.

Pillar by pillar

Weighted pillar contributions from each product's stored score — nutritional adequacy, ingredient quality, additives & processing, transparency.

MetricPurina Cat ChowMeow Mix
Nutritional adequacy3535
Ingredient quality1113
Additives & processing106
Transparency66

Guaranteed analysis

As printed on each label; dry-matter protein removes the moisture so wet and dry read on the same basis.

MetricPurina Cat ChowMeow Mix
Protein32%30%
Fat12%11%
Fiber3%4%
Moisture12%12%
Protein (dry-matter)36.4%34.1%

First five ingredients

Purina Cat Chow

  1. Chicken by-product meal
  2. ground yellow corn
  3. corn protein meal
  4. whole grain wheat
  5. rice

Meow Mix

  1. Ground Corn
  2. Chicken By-Product Meal
  3. Soybean Meal
  4. Corn Protein Meal
  5. Beef Tallow (Mixed Tocopherols Used As A Preservative)

Flags on the label

Purina Cat Chow

  • Unnamed animal ingredient ("animal fat")
  • Synthetic vitamin K3 — questioned safety margin vs natural K sources
  • Azo/synthetic dyes — purely cosmetic in pet food; −12 per distinct dye, capped

Meow Mix

  • corn is the 1st ingredient in a dry cat food
  • Preservative under long-running FDA scrutiny; widely abandoned by premium brands
  • Azo/synthetic dyes — purely cosmetic in pet food; −12 per distinct dye, capped

Cite this page

Bowlmark. "Purina Cat Chow Complete with Salmon vs Meow Mix Original Choice." https://www.bowlmark.com/compare/meow-mix-original-choice-vs-purina-cat-chow-complete-with-salmon

Engine
Methodology engine v1.1.0 · config 13c99e2f
Verified
Last verified August 20, 2026

The engine and config above are the ones stamped on this page's score — the exact pair that produced the number shown.

How the engine worksCitation registry