Pawdit presents manufacturer-declared facts and attributes every note to its published source. We do not rate, grade or rank products. This assessment is generated by an algorithmic methodology based on published sources. It is not a guarantee of product quality or safety. Always consult your veterinarian.
Data completeness
100%
2 sources, cross-checked · prices re-checked 46 days ago
Ingredients
32 ingredients · tap any for its research notes
What do these mean? ▾
Beneficial. Linked to benefits in published research. Tiers show evidence strength.
Restricted or banned. Restricted or banned by a regulator in at least one country.
Under research review. Being studied or re-evaluated by researchers or regulators.
Contextual. Not flagged, but there is a note worth reading.
Standard. Everyday components like vitamins and minerals.
Not yet classified. Not in our dictionary yet. Always still listed.
Counts include what's inside compound entries like vitamin premixes, so they can add up to more than the label's ingredient count.
1Chicken mealNamed species meat meal▾
● Beneficial (well-established)Rendered meal from a named animal species: a concentrated protein source with water and fat removed. The species is identified, which supports traceability and allergy checking.Sources: AAFCO ingredient definitions · Veterinary nutrition references
2peasPeas / lentils / chickpeas▾
● Contextual noteWhole legumes provide protein, fibre, and micronutrients. The FDA investigated (2018-2022) a potential association with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs when legumes are used as a primary ingredient, did not establish a causal link, and has paused public updates pending new science.Sources: FDA DCM Investigation 2018-2022 · Freeman et al. 2018 JAVMA
3chicken fat (preserved with natural antioxidants)1 components▾
● Standard ingredientA named animal fat source providing energy and essential fatty acids.Sources: AAFCO ingredient definitions
The label breaks this entry into components, each classified on its own:
4chickpeasPeas / lentils / chickpeas▾
● Contextual noteWhole legumes provide protein, fibre, and micronutrients. The FDA investigated (2018-2022) a potential association with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs when legumes are used as a primary ingredient, did not establish a causal link, and has paused public updates pending new science.Sources: FDA DCM Investigation 2018-2022 · Freeman et al. 2018 JAVMA
5faba beans▾
● Contextual noteA legume protein and carbohydrate source. As a legume, it falls within the scope of the FDA investigation into a potential association between legume-heavy grain-free diets and DCM in dogs. Research is ongoing.Sources: FDA DCM Investigation 2018-present · Nutritional composition data
6kangaroo mealNamed species meat meal▾
● Beneficial (well-established)Rendered meal from a named animal species: a concentrated protein source with water and fat removed. The species is identified, which supports traceability and allergy checking.Sources: AAFCO ingredient definitions · Veterinary nutrition references
7natural flavourNatural flavours▾
● Contextual noteA broad AAFCO-defined category that may contain multiple unspecified compounds. Relevant for allergy-prone pets since potential allergens may not be individually listed.Sources: AAFCO 2024
8tapiocaTapioca / tapioca starch▾
● Contextual noteA carbohydrate source that provides energy but limited micronutrients.Sources: NRC 2006
Show all 32 ingredients ▾
9duck mealNamed species meat meal▾
● Beneficial (well-established)Rendered meal from a named animal species: a concentrated protein source with water and fat removed. The species is identified, which supports traceability and allergy checking.Sources: AAFCO ingredient definitions · Veterinary nutrition references
● Beneficial (well-established)Whole meat from a named animal species. Both the species and the form are identified, which supports traceability and allergy checking. Published nutrition references associate named whole meats with high protein quality.Sources: AAFCO 2024 · NRC 2006 · Amino acid bioavailability studies
This product lists probiotics. Standard processing temperatures for dry food may exceed the survival threshold for live bacteria unless a validated delivery method is used.
Guaranteed analysis
as fed · compared to AAFCO adult cat maintenance minimums
AAFCO, the Association of American Feed Control Officials, publishes minimum nutrient levels for complete dog and cat foods. Each bar below compares this product's declared analysis to the AAFCO adult cat maintenance minimum, marked by the vertical tick.
✓Formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles (Adult)"Black Hawk cat foods are formulated to meet the nutritional levels established in the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance." (brand statement)
Protein33%AAFCO min 26% DM
Fat16%AAFCO min 9% DM
Fibre4.5%no AAFCO reference
Moisture10%no AAFCO reference
3,955 kcal/kg≈ 1,655 kJ / 100g energy densityBrand states 3,955 kcal/kg
Also declared on the label
Phosphorus1%guaranteed min
Taurine is an essential amino acid for cats. This product does not appear to list taurine as a supplemented ingredient. You may wish to verify with the manufacturer or your vet.
Values as declared by the manufacturer (as fed). AAFCO minimums are published on a dry-matter basis and converted using the declared moisture before comparison; the comparison is shown for context only. Consult your vet for diet decisions.
Brand transparency
Black Hawk · what the manufacturer discloses, not a rating
Part of EBOS Group (Masterpet) · 2 brands on Pawdit
Recall historyon record2019: Voluntary recall of Grain Free Salmon dog food due to contaminated salmon causing GI issues. 6 APOG consumer reports.
AS5812 accreditationAustralia's voluntary pet food manufacturing standardnot confirmed
PFIAA membershipPet Food Industry Association of Australiaconfirmed
Quality certificationsconfirmedHACCP
Parent companydisclosedEBOS Group (Masterpet)
A factual disclosure checklist from public records and the brand's own statements. Items we haven't verified show as not confirmed: a data gap, not a judgment. Are you Black Hawk? Claim your brand to confirm or correct this record.
Customer reviews
4.7
75 reviews · aggregated from retailer listings across multiple sources
Where to buy
confirm prices and explore sizes on the retailer's site
● Beneficial (well-established)Organ meat from a named animal species, with both the species and the organ identified. Published nutrition references describe named organ meats (e.g. chicken liver, beef heart) as nutrient-dense, naturally rich in vitamins A and B12, iron, copper, and folate. Where the label names only the organ (e.g. "liver"), the animal species is not identified.Sources: NRC 2006 · Nutritional composition dataPosition on the ingredient list suggests a moderate to small inclusion level.
12sweet potatoPotato / sweet potato▾
● Contextual noteDigestible carbohydrate sources. Not harmful in themselves. Often used in grain-free formulations.Sources: NRC 2006
13essential vitaminsVitamins (generic)▾
● Standard ingredientA generic term for a vitamin premix. Where the label lists the specific vitamins in brackets, each is shown and classified below; otherwise the individual vitamins are not disclosed.Sources: AAFCO ingredient definitions
14mineralsMinerals (generic)▾
● Standard ingredientA generic term for a mineral premix. Where the label lists the specific mineral compounds in brackets, each is shown and classified below; otherwise the individual minerals are not disclosed. European-style labels declare added trace minerals as numbered additives with doses (e.g. "E4 (copper): 10 mg").Sources: AAFCO ingredient definitions
15and amino acids (see table)Amino acids (generic)▾
● Standard ingredientA generic term for an amino acid supplement blend. Where the label lists the specific amino acids in brackets, each is shown and classified below; otherwise the individual amino acids are not disclosed.Sources: AAFCO ingredient definitions
16fish oilEPA + DHA (marine-source omega-3)▾
● Beneficial (well-established)Marine-source omega-3 fatty acids associated with anti-inflammatory, skin/coat health, joint support, cognitive function, and cardiac and renal support in multiple peer-reviewed studies.Sources: Bauer 2011 JAVMA · NRC 2006 · Multiple RCTs in dogs for skin/joint conditionsPosition on the ingredient list suggests a small inclusion level.
17eggWhole eggs / dried egg product▾
● Beneficial (well-established)Egg protein has the highest biological value of any common protein source, providing a complete amino acid profile.Sources: NRC 2006 · Protein biological value studiesPosition on the ingredient list suggests a small inclusion level.
18beet pulp▾
● Beneficial (supported)A well-studied moderately fermentable fibre source associated with stool quality benefits in dogs.Sources: NRC 2006 · Fahey et al. 1990Position on the ingredient list suggests a small inclusion level.
19kelpKelp / seaweed meal▾
● Contextual noteA source of iodine and trace minerals with widely varying iodine content. Research into feline hyperthyroidism discusses variable dietary iodine intake as a possible factor, so the iodine load from kelp is worth noting for cats.Sources: NRC 2006
● Beneficial (supported)A prebiotic fibre associated with gut microbiome support in published studies. Promotes beneficial bacteria growth.Sources: Swanson et al. 2002Position on the ingredient list suggests a small inclusion level.
21carrot fibreCarrots▾
● Standard ingredientA root vegetable providing beta-carotene and fibre.Sources: Nutritional composition data
● Contextual noteThe soluble fraction of yeast, used as a savoury flavour enhancer and a natural source of free glutamate. Distinct from added MSG, and from yeast cell wall fractions (the source of MOS); autolysed and hydrolysed yeast are closely related yeast-derived flavour ingredients grouped here. Also supplies B vitamins and amino acids.Sources: EFSA 2017 glutamate re-evaluation
● Standard ingredientNatural preservation agents such as tocopherols or rosemary extract. Where the label names the agents in brackets, each is shown and classified below; 'including' wording means others may be present without being listed.Sources: AAFCO ingredient definitions
25D-glucosamine HClGlucosamine HCL▾
● Contextual noteIncluded in many formulas for joint support. Early studies in dogs suggested cartilage support; a 2022 meta-analysis and a 2024 review found no clinical benefit for osteoarthritis pain. Quality and formulation vary across products.Sources: McCarthy et al. 2007 · Moreau et al. 2003 · Barbeau-Gregoire et al. 2022 · Pye et al. 2024
● Beneficial (supported)Contains a unique omega-3 fatty acid (ETA) and has been associated with anti-inflammatory and joint support benefits in some studies in dogs.Sources: Servet et al. 2006 · Bierer & Bui 2002Position on the ingredient list suggests a small inclusion level.
27coconut oilCoconut oil / MCT oil▾
● Beneficial (supported)MCT oil is rich in the medium-chain triglycerides (C8 and C10) used in studies of cognitive support in aging dogs. Coconut oil contains some MCTs but is mostly lauric acid, so those findings apply mainly to purified MCT oil.Sources: Pan et al. 2010Position on the ingredient list suggests a small inclusion level.
28Yucca schidigera extract▾
● Beneficial (supported)Associated with faecal odour reduction in published studies. Some research has explored anti-inflammatory properties.Sources: Lowe & Kershaw 1997Position on the ingredient list suggests a small inclusion level.
29pumpkin▾
● Beneficial (supported)A source of soluble fibre widely recommended by veterinarians for digestive support.Sources: NRC 2006 · Veterinary digestive health referencesPosition on the ingredient list suggests a small inclusion level.
30cranberriesCranberry / cranberry extract▾
● Beneficial (supported)Contains proanthocyanidins, which some studies have associated with urinary tract health; most of that evidence comes from dogs and humans.Sources: Howell 2007Position on the ingredient list suggests a small inclusion level.
31blueberries▾
● Beneficial (emerging)A whole-food source of anthocyanins, associated with antioxidant properties in published research.Sources: Prior et al. 2008Position on the ingredient list suggests a small inclusion level.
32rosemaryRosemary / rosemary extract▾
● Contextual noteGenerally regarded as a positive natural preservative alternative to synthetic options. No published study links food-grade rosemary extract to seizures in dogs; the reported concern involves concentrated rosemary essential oil, a different preparation.Sources: Goncalves et al. 2019 · Essential oils and seizure systematic review 2019
