Is vegan cat food safe for cats?

A plant-based cat food needs to provide the nutrients cats require in appropriate amounts and forms. Ingredient lists alone cannot establish nutritional adequacy. Look for the nutritional adequacy statement on the label and talk to your veterinarian before making a significant change to your cat's diet.

How much taurine do cats need?

Cats require taurine in their diet, but the amount needed depends on the nutritional profile and formulation of the food. Commercial cat foods are formulated to provide required nutrients at appropriate levels. Unicorn Pate lists a minimum of 0.1% taurine as fed. Do not add additional taurine supplements without talking to your veterinarian.

Can cats have too much taurine?

Taurine is an essential nutrient for cats, but adding extra supplements is not automatically necessary when a cat is eating a properly formulated diet. Talk to your veterinarian before adding taurine or other supplements.

How do cats get taurine in the wild?

Wild cats obtain taurine naturally through the animal tissues in the prey they eat. Commercial cat foods can provide taurine through ingredients and added taurine.

Can kittens eat Unicorn Pate as their main food?

Unicorn Pate is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for adult maintenance. Kittens have different nutritional requirements for growth, so talk to your veterinarian before using it as a kitten's main food.

Does “formulated to meet AAFCO” mean a food passed a feeding trial?

No. These are two different ways a pet food can establish nutritional adequacy. A product can be formulated to meet an AAFCO nutrient profile, or nutritional adequacy can be established through an AAFCO feeding protocol. Unicorn Pate's label states that it is formulated to meet the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance.

How much Unicorn Pate should I add to my cat's meal?

For use as a side dish, serve about 1/3 to 1/2 can alongside your cat's usual food. For a lighter topper, start with 1 to 2 tablespoons stirred into kibble. If you are introducing it gradually, start with about 1 tablespoon and increase the amount over 7 to 10 days. Remember to account for the 160 calories in a full 5.5-ounce can when adjusting the rest of your cat's meal.

Tabby cat reaching for a can of Wild Earth Unicorn Pate next to a bowl of kibble topped with pate

Unicorn Pate: The Vegan Cat Food That's Meant to Be a Side Dish

Q: What foods have taurine for cats?

Animal tissues naturally contain taurine, while commercial cat foods may also include added taurine. If you are considering using a particular food as a major part of your cat's diet, check its nutritional adequacy statement and talk to your veterinarian.

byWildEarth • Last updated on October 28, 2026

Key Takeaways

Unicorn Pate is a plant-based wet food designed to be served alongside your cat's regular food.
Cats are obligate carnivores with specific nutritional requirements, including taurine.
Lentils, potato protein, and peas provide plant protein, while added amino acids help round out the recipe.
Marine microalgae supply DHA, while guar gum and agar-agar create the smooth texture.
Each 5.5-ounce can contains 160 calories and has a maximum moisture content of 78%.

Most cat foods are designed to be the main event in your cat's bowl. Our approach to Unicorn Pate is different. We recommend serving it as a side dish or topper alongside your cat's regular food.

What's inside the can? From plant-based protein to added taurine, each ingredient has a role in the recipe. Let's break down the ingredients, explain their purpose, and look at how to serve this smooth, moisture-rich pate.

Wild Earth Unicorn Pate Cat Food

A smooth, plant-based pate with added taurine, made to serve as a side dish or topper.

Shop Unicorn Pate Cat Food

Can Cats Be Vegan?

Cats are obligate carnivores that require specific nutrients from their diet, including taurine. Their nutritional needs make choosing an appropriate diet especially important.

Unicorn Pate offers plant-based protein, moisture, and variety as a side dish alongside your cat's regular food. If you're considering a fully plant-based diet for your cat, consult your veterinarian first to discuss nutritional adequacy and ongoing monitoring.

What Is in the Wild Earth Unicorn Pate Cat Food?

Wild Earth Unicorn Pate ingredient list with notes on water, lentils, microalgae, guar gum and added taurine

The ingredient list starts with water, followed by lentils, potato protein, canola oil, and peas. The recipe contains no added grains and includes added amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.

Role	Ingredients	What They Do
Moisture	Water	Contributes to the pate's high moisture content.
Protein	Lentils, potato protein, peas	Supply plant protein; lentils and peas also provide fiber.
Fats and DHA	Canola oil, marine microalgae	Provide dietary fat and DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid.
Vegetables and fruit	Sweet potatoes, carrots, cranberries	Contribute fiber and other plant compounds.
Texture	Guar gum, agar-agar	Help create a smooth, spoonable consistency.
Amino acids	Taurine, DL-methionine, L-tryptophan	Supply specific amino acids important to cats.
Vitamins and minerals	Vitamins A, D2, E and B vitamins; zinc, iron, manganese, copper, iodine, selenium, calcium, phosphorus, and choline sources	Help fortify the recipe.
Other ingredients	Natural flavors, salt, yucca schidigera extract	Contribute flavor; yucca extract is commonly used in pet food formulations intended to help manage stool odor.

How Does the Protein in Wet Cat Food Compare to Dry Food?

Unicorn Pate is up to 78% water, so 8.5% protein as fed works out to about 39% protein on a dry matter basis

Wet cat food can appear lower in protein than dry food because its moisture contributes to its overall weight. A dry matter comparison removes water from the calculation.

Unicorn Pate lists a minimum of 8.5% crude protein and a maximum of 78% moisture. Using those figures, the estimated protein content on a dry matter basis is approximately 39%.

The guaranteed analysis also lists taurine at a minimum of 0.1% as fed, equivalent to approximately 0.45% on a dry matter basis. These are label-based calculations, not daily feeding recommendations.

The Protein: Lentils, Potato Protein, and Peas

Where Does the Protein in Vegan Cat Food Come From?

Plant-based cat food can obtain protein from lentils, peas, and potato protein. Lentils and peas also contribute fiber, while potato protein is a concentrated protein ingredient derived from potatoes.

Plant proteins vary in their amino acid profiles. Adding specific amino acids helps address nutritional requirements that the primary ingredients may not meet on their own.

Why Are Methionine and Tryptophan Added to Cat Food?

Methionine and tryptophan are essential amino acids that cats need from their diet. Plant ingredients can vary in how much of these nutrients they provide.

The recipe includes DL-methionine and L-tryptophan as supplemental amino acid sources. Their inclusion helps support the formulation's intended nutrient profile.

Taurine: The Nutrient Cats Cannot Skip

Is Taurine Good for Cats?

Taurine is essential for cats because they cannot produce enough to meet their needs. It supports normal heart function, vision, reproduction, and other important bodily processes.

A prolonged deficiency can cause serious problems, including dilated cardiomyopathy, retinal degeneration, and vision loss.

The product label guarantees a minimum of 0.1% taurine as fed, equivalent to at least approximately 155 mg per 5.5-ounce can. This is an estimate based on the can's stated weight and guaranteed analysis, not a recommended daily dose. Ask your veterinarian about your cat's individual taurine requirements.

Where Does the Taurine in Plant-Based Cat Food Come From?

Plants generally provide little taurine, so manufacturers add it to plant-based recipes. Supplemental taurine is the same molecule cats need, regardless of its source.

Some animal-based cat foods also contain added taurine to help maintain appropriate nutrient levels after ingredient processing.

Fats and DHA: Canola Oil and Marine Microalgae

Canola oil provides dietary fat and energy, while mixed tocopherols help preserve the oil against oxidation.

Marine microalgae supply DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid important to normal feline physiology. Because algae are a source of DHA in the marine food chain, microalgae provide a way to include this nutrient without using fish-derived ingredients.

The Texture: Guar Gum and Agar-Agar

Water contributes to wet food's moisture content, while guar gum and agar-agar help maintain its smooth consistency.

Guar gum comes from guar beans, and agar-agar is derived from seaweed. Both help bind water and create a soft texture that is easy to spoon or mix into kibble.

The Extras: Vegetables, Cranberries, and Yucca

Sweet potatoes and carrots contribute fiber and other plant compounds. Cranberries appear farther down the ingredient list, indicating that they make up a smaller proportion of the recipe.

Yucca schidigera extract is commonly used in pet food formulations intended to help manage stool odor. These ingredients complement the recipe's primary protein and nutrient sources.

The Vitamins and Minerals

Why Is Vitamin A Palmitate in Cat Food?

Vitamin A palmitate supplies preformed vitamin A, which cats need from their diet. Cats cannot convert beta-carotene from plant foods into sufficient vitamin A to meet their needs.

What Else Is Added?

The recipe includes vitamin D2, vitamin E, B vitamins such as niacin, thiamine, riboflavin, and biotin, plus trace minerals such as zinc, iron, manganese, copper, iodine, and selenium.

Tricalcium phosphate contributes calcium and phosphorus, while choline chloride supplies choline. Together, these ingredients help fortify the recipe.

How to Serve Unicorn Pate as a Side Dish

Three ways to serve Unicorn Pate: a third to half a can as a side dish, 1 to 2 tablespoons as a topper, or 1 tablespoon to start

Start with a small portion, especially if your cat is trying plant-based food for the first time. Use these suggested side-dish portions alongside your cat's regular food.

Way to Serve	Amount	Best For
Side dish	1/3 to 1/2 can alongside the usual meal	Adding moisture, protein, and variety
Topper or mixer	1 to 2 tablespoons stirred into kibble	Picky eaters and adding moisture to dry food
Introduction	Start with 1 tablespoon, increasing gradually over 7 to 10 days	Cats trying it for the first time

Half a can contains approximately 80 calories. Account for those calories when planning your cat's overall food intake, and consult your veterinarian if you need help balancing portions.

Serve the pate at room temperature, refrigerate the unused portion, and discard any food left out for two hours.

Which Cats Is Unicorn Pate Good For?

Unicorn Pate may suit adult cats whose owners want to add moisture and variety to meals, including cats that primarily eat dry food or are selective about texture.

The recipe is formulated for adult maintenance. Kittens and cats with kidney disease, urinary conditions, or other medical concerns need individualized dietary advice from a veterinarian before trying a new food.

Final Takeaway

Unicorn Pate combines plant-based protein, added taurine, marine microalgae, and a blend of vitamins and minerals in a smooth, moisture-rich recipe.

The key is how you serve it: use it as a side dish or topper alongside your cat's regular food, not as a replacement for an appropriate main diet. If you're considering a fully plant-based diet, speak with your veterinarian first.

Explore Wild Earth Unicorn Pate Cat Food

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does Taurine Do for Cats?

Taurine supports normal heart function, vision, reproduction, and other essential bodily processes. Cats must obtain sufficient taurine through their diet.

Is Too Much Taurine Bad for Cats?

Taurine is generally well tolerated at appropriate dietary levels, but additional supplementation may not be necessary for every cat. Consult your veterinarian before adding a supplement.

How Much Taurine Does a Cat Need Per Day?

A cat's taurine requirements depend on its diet and individual needs. Ask your veterinarian for guidance rather than using the taurine content of a topper to determine a daily dose.

What Foods Have Taurine for Cats?

Animal tissues, including meat and fish, naturally contain taurine. Commercial cat foods may also include supplemental taurine to help meet feline nutritional requirements.

What Is a Cat Food Topper?

A cat food topper is an addition to a cat's regular food that provides extra flavor, moisture, or texture. It should complement an appropriate main diet rather than displace it.

What Can I Use as a Topper for Dry Cat Food?

A suitable wet food or pate can add moisture and texture to dry kibble. Start with a small amount and account for the extra calories.

Is Taurine Good for Cats With Kidney Disease?

Taurine remains an essential nutrient for cats with kidney disease, but it does not treat the condition. Consult your veterinarian before changing your cat's diet or adding supplements.

Where Can I Get Plant-Based Cat Food?

You can explore Wild Earth's Unicorn Pate on the official Wild Earth website. If you're considering a fully plant-based diet for your cat, consult your veterinarian first about nutritional adequacy and ongoing monitoring.