Overall Score: 8.0/10 — Reviewed by Hazel, BVSc | April 2026 | No brand relationship
Brand Overview — Applaws
- Origin: United Kingdom — founded on a “nothing but natural” philosophy
- Parent Company: MPM Products (UK-based)
- Key Differentiator: 3–5 ingredient lists, 70–80% meat in wet products, fully transparent packaging
- WSAVA Compliance: No — does not employ full-time veterinary nutritionists or conduct AAFCO feeding trials
- Availability: Pet Circle, PetBarn, selected independent pet stores (not widely stocked at Woolworths or Coles)
- Price Range: $2.50–$4.00 per tin (wet); $30–$45 per 2kg (dry)
Introduction
Applaws is the brand for cat owners who want to read an ingredient list and actually understand every single item on it. Where most cat foods have 20–30 ingredients including preservatives, flavour enhancers, and gelling agents, Applaws lists 3 to 5 ingredients. Chicken breast. Tuna fillet. Broth. That is it.
This radical simplicity makes Applaws the highest-meat-content mainstream cat food available in Australia. The wet tins contain 70–80% named meat, and the dry range boasts 80% chicken with 40%+ protein on a dry matter basis. For owners who believe cats should eat food that looks and smells like actual food, Applaws delivers.
However, there is a critical caveat that every Applaws buyer must understand before purchasing.
Important: Most Applaws Wet Products Are Complementary, Not Complete
The majority of Applaws wet tins and pouches are labelled “complementary” — meaning they do not contain all the vitamins and minerals required for a nutritionally complete diet. They must be fed alongside a complete and balanced food (such as Applaws Dry or another complete formula). Feeding Applaws wet food as a sole diet long-term can lead to nutritional deficiencies. Always check the label: look for “complete” vs “complementary” on each product.
Product Range
- Natural Wet Tins — 70–80% meat content. Chicken breast, tuna fillet, ocean fish, and combination flavours. Visible whole pieces of meat in broth. 70g and 156g tins. Complementary.
- Wet Pouches — Similar quality to tins in a pouch format. Chicken, tuna, and seafood varieties. 70g pouches. Complementary.
- Dry Cat Food — 80% chicken content, 40%+ protein on dry matter basis. Grain-free with sweet potato and pea fibre. One of the highest-protein dry foods in AU. Complete and balanced.
- Cat Pot — Multi-layered wet food with visible ingredients in broth. Small pots for single serves. Complementary.
- Tasty Sticks — Meat-based treat sticks. Limited ingredients, no artificial additives.
- Dry Kitten — 80% chicken, formulated for growth with added DHA. Complete and balanced.
Key Differentiator: Ingredient Transparency
Open an Applaws tin and you can identify every ingredient by sight. Whole chicken breast pieces in clear broth. Tuna fillet you could serve on a plate. This is not marketing spin — the ingredient lists are genuinely 3 to 5 items long, and you can visually confirm each one.
For cats with food sensitivities or allergies, this simplicity is invaluable. When you know exactly what is in the food, elimination diets become straightforward. No hidden derivatives, no unnamed “meat meals,” no mystery gelling agents.
Overall Pros & Cons
- Highest meat content of any mainstream cat food brand available in Australia (70–80% wet, 80% dry)
- Truly minimal ingredients — 3 to 5 items you can read and understand
- Fully transparent — you can see and identify every ingredient in the tin
- No artificial colours, flavours, preservatives, or gelling agents
- Excellent for cats with food sensitivities — simple elimination diet support
- Most wet products are complementary — not nutritionally complete on their own
- Premium pricing — $2.50–$4.00 per tin adds up quickly for multi-cat households
- Limited Australian availability compared to supermarket brands — mainly Pet Circle and PetBarn
- Dry range is small — limited flavour options compared to competitors
Our Verdict — 8.0/10
Applaws is the best natural-ingredient cat food option on the Australian market. The ingredient transparency is unmatched, the meat content is genuinely industry-leading, and the simplicity makes it ideal for cats with sensitivities. The critical point owners must understand: the wet range must be fed alongside a complete food. Pair Applaws wet tins with Applaws Dry (or another complete formula) and you have a genuinely excellent feeding plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Applaws cat food complete and balanced?
The Applaws Dry range (adult and kitten) is complete and balanced, meeting all AAFCO/FEDIAF nutrient profiles. However, most Applaws wet products (tins, pouches, and pots) are labelled “complementary” — they do not contain all required vitamins and minerals for a sole diet. Always check the label on each product and ensure you pair complementary Applaws wet with a complete food.
Where can I buy Applaws cat food in Australia?
Pet Circle is the most reliable online stockist with the broadest Applaws range and competitive pricing. PetBarn carries select Applaws products in-store and online. Some independent pet stores stock it. Applaws is generally not available at Woolworths, Coles, or IGA.
How does Applaws compare to Ziwi Peak?
Both are high-meat, natural brands, but they differ significantly. Ziwi Peak uses 92–96% animal ingredients and all products are complete and balanced. Applaws wet is 70–80% meat but mostly complementary. Ziwi Peak is substantially more expensive ($50–$80/kg vs $30–$45/2kg for Applaws dry). If budget allows, Ziwi Peak is the superior all-in-one option. Applaws offers excellent value when paired correctly with a complete food.
Is Applaws good for cats with allergies?
Excellent for food sensitivities. The 3–5 ingredient lists make it easy to identify and eliminate problem proteins. The single-protein tins (e.g., chicken breast only) are particularly useful for elimination diets. No artificial additives, no unnamed derivatives — you know exactly what your cat is eating. Consult your vet before starting any allergy investigation.