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Addiction Food, Inc. has caused quite a stir in the pet food industry; enough to pique the interest of many pet owners. If you’re one of the curious onlookers and you’re wondering whether or not to dive into the Addiction fray, then read on.
The company makes nutritious pet formulas using hypoallergenic proteins in the manufacture of raw dehydrated and wet foods. This company was established after the founder, a veterinarian, realized how nutritionally deficient cat formulas were. He set out to create wholesome pet formulas that offer pets the nutrition they need to live a healthy and normal life.
One of the pet food formulas under the Addiction brand is the safari buffalo meatloaf wet cat food. This is said to be a healthy and tasty cat formula suitable for cats of all life stages. This cat food formula offers cats a healthy alternative to the conventional lamb, chicken and beef based cat foods.
Ingredients In The Cat Formula
It is worth noting that all ingredients used in this cat formula have been formulated to meet the required AAFCO cat food nutritional guidelines.
Ingredients In Addiction Safari Buffalo Meatloaf
Buffalo, Broth, Potatoes, Liver, Carrots,Guar Gum, Peas, Taurine, Dried Brewers Yeast, Zinc Sulfate, Potassium Chloride, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate ( for vitamin C), Ferrous Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Thiamin Mononitrate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, , Folic Acid, Calcium Iodate, Dicalcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Biotin, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D2 Supplement.
It is worth noting that this cat formula contains no from of grain, artificial preservatives or coloring, fillers, by-products, soy, corn or gluten. This is because it is made from natural and healthy cat food ingredients.
Top 5 Ingredients Breakdown
Buffalo – This is the first ingredient in the list. It is the primary source of protein in this cat formula. Protein is an important ingredient as it helps in the general growth of the cat. It aids in the repair of tissues and is also responsible for building tissues. Also, buffalo has a rich taste that is irresistible to cats.
Broth – Broth is used to add flavor and moisture to the food, but in this case, the broth comes from an unnamed source. We usually like to see a named broth source like chicken broth or vegetable broth, but since this ingredient is unnamed, we are left guessing. While it is unlikely this ingredient is harmful to your cat, we would much rather see a named broth source here.
Potatoes – Potatoes provide a lot of carbs and unfortunately, cats do not digest carbs well and it can also lead to weight gain. This ingredient is becoming more popular in “grain-free” cat foods because while potatoes are not grains, they serve much the same purpose by acting as a non-nutritious filler. The good news is potatoes are complex carbs. These complex carbs are easier to digest than whole grains and also don’t spike blood sugar levels like the simple carbs do. But, anyway you cut it… carbs are carbs and cats don’t need them. This is a rather non-nutritious ingredient.
Liver – In the wild, cats almost always eat the liver of their prey. It is a rich source of vitamin A which cats must obtain from their food since they can’t make it in their bodies. This is also a good secondary source of protein. If cats consume too much liver, it could cause toxicity, but the amount needed for liver to become toxic to cats is very high. Liver is provided in safe quantities in this cat food blend.
Carrots – A good source of carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, carrots are becoming more common in pet foods. This ingredient is also known to boost the immune system and help promote healthy eyes in cats as well as providing a good source of fiber.
Additional Ingredients Of Interest In Addiction Safari Buffalo Meatloaf Cat Food
It is worth noting that this cat formula also contains peas, taurine and guar gum. These ingredients are not found in most cat formulas.
The peas – These supply the cat with carbohydrates through in minimal proportions. They also contain fiber which aids in digestion.
Taurine – Taurine is an essential amino acid that is critical for normal heart muscle function, vision, and reproduction in cats. Since cats are unable to create proper levels of taurine in their body naturally, it must be supplemented in their food. That’s why you’ll see this ingredient listed for so many different cat food blends. For cat foods that contain enough high quality animal based proteins, a taurine supplement may not be needed. However, most cat foods will need to add in additional taurine in the form of a supplement to the food. Even when included as a supplement instead, there is very low to almost zero health risk associated with this ingredient. In fact, a lack of taurine can cause a slew of issues, so it’s very important to make sure your cat is receiving enough taurine in his or her diet.
Guar gum – This ingredient is also sometimes called guaran. It is primarily the ground endosperm of guar beans. The guar seeds are dehusked, milled and screened to obtain the guar gum. It is typically produced as a free-flowing, off-white powder. This ingredient is mostly used to thicken the food and give it more texture. It is an FDA-approved, all natural GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) ingredient used by the food and cosmetic industries. It also is used to improve the shelf life of the food and helps lower the glycemic index of food. Many cat food companies claim this ingredient also aids in digestion and weight loss. There is some minor debate about the benefits of this ingredient with some claiming negative impacts, but in general, this is thought to be a relatively non-nutritious yet safe ingredient.
Some Ingredients To Avoid In Cat Food
Artificial flavoring and coloring – Though not present in the safari buffalo meatloaf wet cat formula, artificial colors and flavors can be toxic to cats.
Soy – Soy is another common food allergen for cats and is also known to cause gastric upset. This ingredient is considered a very low priced filler ingredient. While it will certainly help make your cat food more full, the full nutritional benefit in this ingredient is questionable at best. Many cat food brands will tell you the allergy risk is very low with soy, but it is one of the most well known food allergens that cats deal with in commercial pet food. Overall, this is a pretty low quality ingredient.
Wheat – Most cat food brands that use wheat in their products will tell you that wheat is a grain used as a high-quality carbohydrate source in dry dog and cat foods and biscuits. They will tell you that it provides energy for daily activity, as well as processing characteristics for the food. And finally, they will tell you that the allergy risk associated with wheat is low. However, many experts not associated with the pet food industry will seemingly say the opposite. From them, you’ll hear that wheat and wheat by-product is a very common allergy for dogs and cats. You’ll even find sources that claim wheat has also been linked to epileptic seizures and celiac diseases. Cats are not able to digest grains nearly as well as humans or dogs, so many cats may also experience digestion issues if given too much wheat. In general, wheat is considered to be a very low priced filler ingredient with essentially no nutritional value for cats. As the debate rages on, you be the judge.
These ingredients are not found in the Safari Buffalo Meatloaf cat formula.
Conclusion
This cat food is a favorite among many cat owners. It has quickly become known in the “cat community” as being one of the highest quality cat food blends on the market. Cats seem to love the taste and it is not linked to any recent cat food recalls. The only downside may be the price. However, because of the quality of ingredients used, it is safe to say that this cat food is indeed worth its high price tag.
