A wet pet food product is provided comprising 20-100 wt.% of a composite meat product and 0-80 wt.% of a sauce, said composite meat product containing: 50-92 wt.% of ground animal material; 1-15 wt.% of vegetable material; and 1-8 wt.% of heat-settable binder; wherein the wet pet food product contains 0.1-3.0 wt.% of yeast extract. Processes of preparing and using the wet pet food product are also provided.