Why this product
::FIRSTLETTER::Tuna is the default seafood flavor in most wet cat foods, and most cats accept it without question. But there is a smaller subset of cats that have specifically refused tuna or that owners want to keep off tuna for long-term mercury reasons, and those households need an alternative seafood profile. Fancy Feast Salmon & Shrimp Classic Pate is built for that audience.
The 24-can case at roughly $18 lists salmon first on the ingredient panel, followed by fish broth, liver, and meat by-products, with shrimp providing a secondary aromatic accent further down the list. Each 3 oz can is AAFCO-complete for adult maintenance with 78 percent moisture, the same nutritional baseline as the rest of the Classic Pate range.
This case earns the Recommended Salmon slot in our cat food coverage because it gives owners a cleaner salmon-forward option than the Tuna Feast or Tuna-blended variants, at the same price point. It is not class-leading and the Wellness Core Salmon Pate is meaningfully cleaner on the ingredient panel, but at twice the price the value calculation depends on your priorities.
What Purina claims (nutrition and ingredients)
Purina’s guaranteed analysis on the Salmon & Shrimp can lists 11 percent crude protein minimum, 2 percent crude fat minimum, 1.5 percent crude fiber maximum, and 78 percent moisture maximum on an as-fed basis. The slightly higher crude protein figure (11 percent versus 10 percent on the Poultry & Beef variants) is consistent with salmon’s denser protein profile. On a dry matter basis the protein content lands around 50 percent.
The first five ingredients on the Salmon & Shrimp can are: salmon, fish broth, liver, meat by-products, and poultry by-products. Wheat gluten and added color appear lower on the panel, along with a vitamin and mineral premix. There is no corn or soy in the top of the ingredient list.
Calorie content is approximately 78 kcal per 3 oz can. For a 10 lb adult cat at 200 to 250 kcal per day, that works out to 3 cans per day on a complete wet diet or 1 to 2 cans alongside dry food.
The AAFCO statement on the label reads that the formula is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for the maintenance of adult cats. Adult maintenance only.
Who should buy
Buy this if your cat has refused tuna-based seafood pates but still shows interest in fish aromas. Salmon hits a different volatile compound profile than tuna and frequently wins over tuna-rejecting cats.
Buy this if you want to limit your cat’s long-term tuna exposure for mercury reasons. A monthly rotation between salmon-forward and poultry-forward formulas reduces single-species exposure risk.
Buy this if your cat is a senior with reduced appetite. Salmon’s aromatic profile is strong enough to trigger interest but milder than the heavy tuna brine of the Tuna Feast variant.
Skip this if your cat has a confirmed shellfish allergy, the shrimp content (small as it is) is still present. Skip this if your cat happily eats the Savory Salmon Feast in the Seafood Variety pack already, the Salmon & Shrimp version is not a meaningful upgrade. Skip this if you want grain-free, by-product-free, or organic, in which case Wellness Core Salmon Pate is the cleaner choice at roughly twice the price.
Salmon-first vs tuna-first: why the choice matters
Aromatic profile is the practical reason cats accept or refuse a given seafood pate. Tuna pates produce more sulfur-based volatiles and a sharper, more pungent aroma. Salmon pates produce milder, fattier aromatic notes that some cats find more appetizing and others find too subtle.
If your cat has previously rejected the Tuna Feast or Ocean Whitefish & Tuna variants, switching to Salmon & Shrimp is a reasonable next test. If your cat eats both happily, there is no reason to pay the same price for the slightly higher-protein salmon variant when the Tuna Feast works.
Mercury content is the secondary reason to prefer salmon over tuna for daily feeding. Salmon typically tests lower for mercury than tuna, and is a sensible default if you are committed to long-term seafood feeding rather than rotating with poultry.
The shrimp accent: real or marketing?
Shrimp appears in the ingredient list further down the panel rather than at the top, which means the shrimp content is small. This is a salmon pate with a shrimp aromatic accent, not a 50-50 protein mix. Owners expecting visible shrimp pieces will not find them, the can is a uniform pate.
That said, the shrimp note does change the aroma. Some cats specifically respond to the shellfish profile and accept this formula better than the straight Savory Salmon Feast. Others ignore the difference. The only way to know which group your cat falls into is to try a 24-pack.
Packaging
The 24-can case ships in a corrugated tray with cans loose. Each 3 oz can has a pull-tab lid. Refrigerate any uneaten portion in a covered container and use within 3 days. The pate texture firms up under refrigeration but returns to spreadable consistency once warmed briefly to room temperature.
For our cat food framework see the methodology page. For a multi-flavor seafood option in the same price tier see our Seafood Classic Variety review.
Purina Fancy Feast Salmon & Shrimp Classic Pate vs. the competition
| Product | Our rating | Moisture | Protein | Calories | Price | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fancy Feast Salmon & Shrimp Classic Pate | ★★★★★ 4.6 | 78 percent | 11 percent | 78 per can | $18 | Recommended Salmon |
| Fancy Feast Seafood Classic Variety | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 78 percent | 10 to 12 percent | 80 per can | $18 | Top Pick Seafood |
| Wellness Core Salmon Pate | ★★★★★ 4.5 | 78 percent | 11 percent | 175 per can | $38 | Premium |
| 9Lives Salmon Pate | ★★★★☆ 4.0 | 78 percent | 9 percent | 85 per can | $12 | Skip |
Full specifications
| Pack size | 24 cans, 3 oz each |
| Primary flavor | Salmon & Shrimp Feast, single flavor case |
| Texture | Classic pate |
| Crude protein (min) | 11.0 percent (as fed) |
| Crude fat (min) | 2.0 percent |
| Crude fiber (max) | 1.5 percent |
| Moisture (max) | 78 percent |
| Calories | approx 78 kcal per 3 oz can |
| Life stage | Adult maintenance |
| AAFCO statement | Complete and balanced for adult cats |
| Top 3 ingredients | Salmon, fish broth, liver |
| Manufacturer | Nestle Purina PetCare |
Should you buy the Purina Fancy Feast Salmon & Shrimp Classic Pate?
Fancy Feast Salmon & Shrimp Classic Pate is the salmon-first single-flavor case to buy if your cat has refused tuna-heavy seafood mixes. The 24-can pack at roughly $18 lists salmon first on the ingredient panel with shrimp as a flavor accent. AAFCO-complete for adult maintenance, 78 percent moisture, and a milder seafood aroma than the Tuna Feast variant.
Frequently asked questions
How much actual shrimp is in this formula?+
Shrimp appears further down the ingredient panel as a flavor accent rather than a primary protein. Salmon is listed first, with shrimp providing the secondary aromatic note. Treat this as a salmon pate with a shrimp accent, not a 50-50 mix.
Is salmon healthier than tuna for daily cat feeding?+
Salmon typically carries lower mercury content than tuna and provides similar omega-3 profiles. For owners worried about long-term tuna mercury exposure, a salmon-forward formula is a sensible swap. Rotation with poultry-based formulas remains best practice regardless of which seafood species you choose.
How does this compare to the Savory Salmon flavor in the Seafood Variety case?+
Savory Salmon Feast in the Seafood Variety pack is salmon-only without shrimp. Salmon & Shrimp adds a shrimp note that some cats prefer and some refuse. If your cat already loves Savory Salmon, the Salmon & Shrimp variant is a reasonable secondary option but not a clear upgrade.
Is Salmon & Shrimp safe for cats with shellfish allergies?+
No. Cats with confirmed shellfish allergies should avoid any formula containing shrimp. The straight Savory Salmon Feast (in the Seafood Variety pack) or a salmon-only single-protein formula such as Wellness Core Salmon are safer alternatives.
How many cans should I feed a 10 lb cat per day?+
Purina's feeding guideline is 1 can per 3 lb of body weight per day if wet food is the only diet, which is roughly 3 cans per day for a 10 lb cat. Most owners feed 1 to 2 cans alongside dry kibble. Adjust based on body condition and your veterinarian's guidance.
📅 Update log
- May 9, 2026Initial review published with current Salmon & Shrimp pricing and label data.
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