I was intrigued when Petra Luna, a colleague of mine from the Cat Writers’ Association, announced the launch of a new premium freeze-dried raw cat food. I know the benefits of a raw diet and offer my cats (and dog) the occasional fresh raw treat. But I don’t have the time or energy (or confidence) to do that full time. This freeze-dried option removes some of those obstacles. So I reached out to Petra and asked about testing with my crew.

After receiving the free bag of Puckin’ Crazy Chicken Feast, I added it to the rotation of my cats’ feeding routine. They get some either in the morning or evening, as one of the 5-8 mini meals they receive throughout the day.

What’s your best guess–will Karma and Trinity snub the freeze-dried food or go CatCrazy for the new ration? I rarely test-review new foods as in the past they end up in the garden compost–and of more concern, I don’t want to mess with my pets’ nutrition once I’ve found a solid routine. But I figured trying as a treat couldn’t hurt.

First Impressions – Puckin’ Crazy Chicken Feast

At first glance, CatCrazy premium freeze-dried raw cat food surprised me. The name says it all–they formed the product into puck-size portions. These easily crumble to feed dry in the bowl, or you can hydrate the food with water, sodium-free broth, or goat milk (to make a gravy, wow!). It can be served as a whole meal, as a tasty topper on regular diets, or as a treat.

Because of the preparation–freeze dried–it stays nutritious and safe far longer than other raw diets. Be sure to wash your hands, and the pets’ bowls, after every serving. They recommend storing the bag in a cool, dry place and feeding within 30 days of opening the bag.

This natural product contains no grain or gluten ingredients, and is 90% meat, organs, and bone. The ingredient lists: chicken with bone, chicken liver, chicken heart, pumpkin, egg, natural flavor, carrot, fish oil, cranberry, kelp meal, minerals, taurine, mixed tocopherols (as preservatives), vitamins, and vitamin E supplement.

Each bag contains about 23-25 “pucks” and averages out to about 12 meals for an average cost of $2/meal. That’s if you choose to feed the food exclusively, with a 10-pound cat recommended to eat about 6 pucks daily. If you have a bonus-size kitty of 14+ pounds, plan on 8 or more pucks a day. Yes, that can get a bit pricier.

What makes this freeze-dried food stand out from others? All of the cat food is made right here in the United States with farm-raised, humanely harvested, quality protein, also from the US. There are no artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors. The team that helped design the food (including vets) ensures it meets AAFCO guidelines for all life stages (kitten to senior) but the company recommends you check with your cat’s vet to be sure it’s a fit for your individual pets.

What Karma, Trinity and I Thought of Puckin’ Crazy Chicken Feast

So before anything else, the top of the kitty list asks how do these funny-looking chicken pucks taste? Ah-MAY-zing, apparently. I turned my back for only a few seconds, and Trinity had half her body inside the bag! DANGER of course, so be sure to keep the bag under lock and key.

I started by crumbling up half a puck for each cat and both Karma and Trinity couldn’t snarf it down fast enough. Shadow-Pup wanted some, too. And actually, the food is safe and recommended as treats for dogs, if you have a pooch eager to try. Yum!

One thing to note – this is a premium food so, it’s not the cheapest option. However, you can save cost by purchasing three bags (for free shipping) or adding a subscription option. Yes, my cats loved this so much I purchased a second bag and am now ready to go for the subscription option.

Changing food? – Check With Your Vet First

In an Email discussion of the food on the Cat Writers’ list, Petra Luna said, “We chose freeze-dried raw over frozen raw because the freeze-drying process incorporates an essential, non-heat-based ‘safety step’ in manufacturing. This advanced technique—called e-beam (electron beam) treatment—safely eliminates virtually all bacteria and viruses (up to 99.9%) while preserving every vital nutrient.“

Should you change your cat’s food? That depends on your individual circumstances. If your kitties do well on what they’re now eating, it might not be necessary, but there are advantages to freeze dried raw rations. Older cats like my Karma often benefit but be sure your vet clears the idea in case kitty has allergies or other health challenges that might be impacted by nutrition.

Note: if switching to raw for the first time (or to ANY new food), transition slowly by first mixing with your cat’s existing ration. Then slowly reduce the old and increase the new over 7-10 days for a healthy transition.

As for us, we’ll keep adding CatCrazy’s Puckin’ Crazy Chicken Feast to supplement our cats’ meals for now, as they love the taste.