Purina Friskies Wet Cat Food, Pate Mixed Grill - (Pack of 24

The Verdict

If your cat is the type who acts like they haven’t eaten in three days when the bowl is only half full, you already know the struggle of finding wet food that delivers both nutrition and enthusiasm. The Purina Friskies Pate Mixed Grill 24-pack is one of the most popular budget-friendly options on Amazon, holding a solid 4.6-star rating from 229 verified buyers. But is it genuinely good, or just cheap enough that owners forgive its flaws? Here’s the real breakdown.

What’s Actually in the Box

This bundle gives you 24 standard 5.5-ounce cans — a practical month’s supply for a single average-sized cat (about 10 pounds) eating one can daily. The “Mixed Grill” title means you’re getting three varieties in the case: chicken, salmon, and turkey pate. The exact ratio varies by shipment, but you’ll typically see eight cans of each.

As shown in the product image, the pate is uniformly smooth and dense — no visible chunks, no gravy separation. It’s the classic Friskies texture: firm enough to hold its shape when scooped, but soft enough to mash with a fork for kittens or toothless seniors.

Performance and Real-World Use

The 78% moisture content is the standout feature here. For cats that are stubborn about drinking from a fountain or bowl, this wet food does double duty as hydration. Multiple reviewers noted their cats’ urinary issues improved after switching to this as their primary diet. One owner wrote: “My 14-year-old had recurring crystals. Vet said more moisture. This did the trick — two years without a flare-up.”

The nutritional profile is decent for the price point: 35% crude protein (dry matter basis), moderate fat, and taurine included for heart health. It’s not a boutique “human-grade” formula, but it meets AAFCO standards for adult maintenance.

What Buyers Consistently Praise

The three most common themes across the 229 ratings are:

Pickiness solved. Cats that turned their noses up at pricier brands (think Blue Buffalo or Wellness) apparently demolish this. One reviewer put it bluntly: “My cat is a snob. She licked the plate clean and screamed for more. I don’t get it either.”

Zero waste texture. The pate doesn’t dry out into a crusty mess if left out for an hour, unlike some shredded varieties. This is practical for free-feeders or cats that graze.

The price-per-ounce math. Even without a current discount, buying in this 24-pack format undercuts buying single cans at big-box retailers by roughly 30-40%. If you’re feeding multiple cats, the savings are immediate.

Where It Falls Short

Let’s be honest about the ingredients. This contains carrageenan — a seaweed-derived thickener that’s FDA-approved but remains controversial in pet nutrition circles. Some owners refuse it outright. It also uses artificial colors (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 2) which serve no nutritional purpose. If you’re on a strict “no artificial anything” approach, this isn’t your brand, and you should look at Friskies’ “Natural” line or Tiki Cat instead.

The smell is also a factor. It’s unmistakably fishy when opened, and the aroma lingers on dishes even after washing. Mild detergent or a vinegar rinse helps, but it’s worth knowing before you commit to 24 cans.

Finally, the 5.5-ounce can is often too much for a single 8-pound cat in one sitting. You’ll be refrigerating half-cans regularly, which means buying small storage lids or dealing with foil-wrapped leftovers.

Who Should Buy This

• Multi-cat households on a budget — the unit economics work in your favor.
• Senior cats with dental problems — the soft pate is genuinely easy to eat.
• Owners transitioning cats from dry-only diets — the strong flavor and aroma help bridge the gap.
• Not for you if: you feed raw or exclusively “limited ingredient” diets, or if your cat is prone to gaining weight (one 5.5 oz can is roughly 150-160 calories, which is near a full daily allowance for a 10-pound indoor cat).

FAQ

Q: Is this complete and balanced, or just a treat? A: It’s complete for adult cats per AAFCO guidelines. You don’t need to supplement with dry food unless your vet recommends it.

Q: Can kittens eat this? A: Yes, but they need more calories per pound. Mash it and feed smaller portions more frequently. For kittens under 6 months, a kitten-specific formula is better.

Q: How long does an opened can last in the fridge? A: Up to 3 days when covered. After 24 hours, most cats lose interest in refrigerated pate unless you warm it slightly (5-10 seconds in the microwave, stirring well to avoid hot spots).

The Verdict

4.6/5 stars.

Buy it if: you want a reliable, affordable wet food that most cats actually eat, and you’re comfortable with standard commercial pet food ingredients.

Skip it if: clean-label ingredients are non-negotiable for you, or you have a single small cat that won’t finish a 5.5 oz can without waste.

At this price per can, the Friskies Pate Mixed Grill is a value leader that delivers on the basics: hydration, protein, and a texture that cats genuinely enjoy. It’s not gourmet. But for the majority of owners — and their finicky felines — it gets the job done without breaking the bank.

Where to Buy

👉 Check Price on Amazon →

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.