Purina Friskies Prime Filets Review: Worth it?

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Buying cat food in bulk feels like a gamble. If they decide they hate it on day three, you are stuck with 37 cans of regret. I picked up this massive 40-count variety pack of Purina Friskies “Prime Filets” to see if it could sustain a multi-cat household without causing a mutiny. This pack includes Chicken, Beef, Turkey, and Ocean Whitefish, all drowning in gravy.

Let’s be real: this is budget food. I wasn’t expecting human-grade wagyu beef. I was looking for something affordable that my cats would actually eat. Here is how the month-long test went.

The ‘Truth’ Test

The immediate result was mixed. My cats are absolute suckers for gravy, and Friskies knows this. When I put the bowl down, the “Prime Filets” were an instant hit—for the first five minutes. They lapped up the sauce with enthusiasm.

However, once the gravy was gone, the enthusiasm dropped. The “filets” (which are essentially formed meat shreds) were often left behind in the bowl. Out of the four flavors, the Ocean Whitefish & Tuna had the highest completion rate. The Beef flavor was the least popular, often requiring me to mix in a treat topper to get them to finish the solids. It’s a good food for hydration, but be prepared for some leftover “meat” chunks.

️ Build & Design Audit

When this box arrives, lift with your knees. Forty cans of 5.5 oz food weigh nearly 14 pounds. The packaging is utilitarian—two cardboard trays wrapped in plastic. It’s efficient for shipping but annoying to store if you don’t have a dedicated pantry shelf.

The Cans: These are the larger 5.5 oz cans, not the small single-serve tins. This is crucial for value. One can is easily enough for two cats to share, or one very large meal for a big cat.

The Pull-Tabs: I have a love-hate relationship with these. During my testing, I didn’t have any tabs snap off (which happens with cheaper brands), but the resistance is high. When the lid finally pops, because the food is so liquid-heavy, a splatter of gravy onto the counter—or your shirt—is almost guaranteed. I learned to open these over the sink.

⚙️ Real-World Performance

I fed this exclusively for 30 days. Here is how it impacts the daily routine beyond just the taste test.

The Smell Factor:
The “Surfin’ & Turfin'” branding is accurate, especially the surfing part. The seafood cans have a very potent, distinct odor. It smells like a dock. While my cats loved it, I didn’t love the smell lingering in my kitchen at 7 AM. The Chicken and Turkey varieties are much milder and easier on the human nose.

Texture Consistency:
I noticed the consistency varies slightly between flavors. The Beef chunks felt tougher and more rubbery, which might explain why my cats left them behind. The Chicken and Tuna shreds seemed softer and broke apart easier when I mashed them with a fork.

Digestive Health:
I was worried about switching to a “gravy heavy” diet, as sometimes rich sauces can cause loose stools. Surprisingly, litter box habits remained normal. Despite the wheat gluten thickeners, my cats digested it well. However, because of the high moisture content, I did notice the clumps in the litter box were larger than when they are on dry food—which is actually a good sign of hydration.

The Downsides (Critical)

This is a budget bulk pack, and you absolutely make sacrifices for the price.

1. The “Lick and Leave” Syndrome:
This is the biggest issue with the “Filet” texture. My cats treated this like soup. They would drink the gravy and walk away, leaving the actual protein source drying out in the bowl. I ended up throwing away a significant amount of the solid chunks. If your cat isn’t a voracious eater, you might see a lot of waste.

2. Ingredient Quality:
Flip the can over. You will see “Meat By-Products,” “Wheat Gluten,” and “Soy Flour” high on the list. This is processed food. It’s the fast-food burger of the cat world. It keeps them full and happy, but it’s not nutrient-dense muscle meat. If you are strict about grain-free or human-grade ingredients, this product is not for you.

3. Storage of Leftovers:
Because these are 5.5 oz cans, unless you have multiple cats, you will have leftovers. Once refrigerated, the gravy turns into a weird, hard jelly. My cats refused to eat the leftovers cold. I had to microwave it for 10 seconds to melt the jelly back into gravy, which adds a step to the feeding routine.

⚖️ Pros/Cons Table

Head-to-Head: Friskies Prime Filets vs. Friskies Pate

Since I’ve used both, the comparison is inevitable.

Friskies Pate: The texture is a solid loaf. When mashed, the cats have to eat the meat to get the flavor. There is less waste with the Pate because they can’t separate the sauce from the solids.

Friskies Prime Filets (This Product): The gravy is the main attraction. It’s more enticing for picky eaters to start eating, but results in more waste at the end.

Winner? If you have a picky cat who needs to gain weight, go with the Prime Filets (gravy). If you want value and zero waste, stick to the Pate.

Expert Verdict

The Purina Friskies Surfin’ and Turfin’ 40-Pack is a logistical win for anyone managing a colony, a foster home, or a multi-cat household on a budget. The cost per calorie is unbeatable, and the gravy format usually guarantees that even the fussiest cat will eat at least half the bowl.

However, I would avoid this if you have a single, small cat. The 5.5 oz cans are too big, and the refrigerated leftovers are unappealing. It’s also a pass if you are trying to avoid grain fillers. This is bulk fuel, not fine dining. I keep a box on hand for when the budget is tight, but I mix it with higher-protein kibble to ensure they are getting enough substance.