Author - user

Science Diet Adult Tender Tuna Dinner Wet Cat Food Review

June 2, 2015

Comments Off

Do you feed your feline friend on the same formula through the day? Meal times can be exiting or boring for your cat. This depends on how well you mix the formulas. It is ideal to have different formula types for different meal times. You can have different meals for breakfast, daytime and dinner time for your cat. This keeps your cat interested and guessing at all times.

The Science Diet Adult Tender Tuna Dinner (wet) is one of the formulas you may want to have on your cat’s formula schedule. The makers of this formula claim that this tuna based formula makes the perfect meal for feeding time. It is said to contain real tuna pieces in gravy among other healthy ingredients.

Is this formula good enough for your cat? Read on to find out.

Compare Pricing And Read Customer Reviews Here

Ingredients in Science Diet Adult Tender Tuna Dinner

Water, Tuna, Chicken, Liver, Wheat Flour, Dextrose, Rice Starch, Oat Fiber, Wheat Gluten, Pork Plasma, Soybean Oil, Glycine, Titanium Dioxide, Natural Flavor, Fish Oil, Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride , Potassium Chloride, Cysteine, Iron Oxide (color), Guar Gum, Calcium Chloride, Dicalcium Phosphate, Taurine, Iodized Salt, Vitamin E Supplement, DL-Methionine, Thiamine Mononitrate, Caramel (color), Zinc Oxide, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Ascorbic Acid (source of vitamin C), Copper Sulfate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin, Biotin, Beta-Carotene, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Calcium Iodate, Menadione Dimethylpyrimidinol Bisulfite (source of vitamin K).

An overview of the first five ingredients

Water

As you might expect, water is mostly added for moisture and cooking purposes. It does not add any nutritional value to the food.

Tuna

This ingredient is a well known saltwater fish. There is some debate about whether fish products should be included in cat food at all, because cats by nature do not eat much sea food. A lot of cat owners would rather see meat from other animals such as beef, chicken, turkey, or other meat sources. However, tuna does supply a good amount of protein and also contains an excellent amount of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

Chicken

Chicken is a very popular ingredient for pet food and in this case, they are referring to whole chicken. This is a very high quality meat source and we are pleased to see it listed. However, whole chicken loses about 80% of its content during the cooking process since the majority of whole chicken is water. After the cooking process is complete, the amount of whole chicken remaining is substantially reduced. Therefor, while whole chicken is a great source of meat protein, this ingredient alone is not enough to provide sufficient levels of meat protein in a cats diet.

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.

Wheat Flour

Wheat flour is a powder made from the grinding of wheat. It helps with the cooking process and also helps to increase the nutrient values of the food. However, cats do not digest wheat in the same way they digest other meat based products. Wheat does not provide much nutrition to cats and is considered a lower quality ingredient. Some cats have problems digesting wheat and others may experience allergic reactions to this ingredient. In lower quantities, this is considered to be a safe ingredient for cats, but it isn’t considered to be a high quality or nutritious ingredient, either.

Other ingredients in this formula

Pork Plasma

Get ready, because this ingredient might gross you out a bit. This basically consists of pork blood and blood products. They just don’t like saying that on the label. Now, as unappetizing as that sounds, animal blood and in particular, plasma, does provide some nutrition to cats and isn’t unhealthy. In fact, it may provide some benefits including assisting in digesting food properly. The nutritional advantages of plasma as an added ingredient beyond that which is naturally in meat is partly due to immunologic fractions, including IgG, similar to what is found in the colostrum in breast milk. Plasma also contains haptoglobulin, growth factors, other proteins and peptides, and transferrins. The protein fraction of plasma is highly digestible and plasma also increases digestibility of other ingredients, including fiber.

Soybean Oil

Soybean oil is a vegetable oil extracted from the seeds of the soybean (Glycine max) and is one of the most widely consumed cooking oils. Soy is a plant protein used by pet food companies to boost protein content and add bulk. Because plant proteins are less expensive than meat proteins, pet food manufacturers use them to increase profit margins. The majority of experts on pet nutrition agree soy isn’t good nutrition for cats or dogs. It is considered a low-quality, incomplete protein well known to create food allergies in pets. Many cat food companies take a hard stance against the “negative publicity” that soy products receive and defend the use of soy strongly, claiming that soy helps add nutrients and improves a cats coat and skin. However, we do not find soy products to be reminiscent of a high quality cat food.

Natural Flavor

The term “natural flavor” is extremely vague and can mean just about anything. In human foods, natural flavor is usually MSG or some similar flavor enhancer. When pet food companies are asked what is in their “natural flavor ingredients, they usually refuse to answer. There are a lot of things in the world considered “natural” and they almost all have a flavor. Such generic terms can be indicative of poor quality ingredients. While that’s not always the case, the fact is, we don’t really know what this ingredient consists of and that is worrying.

Fish Oil

Fish oil is a popular supplement used by cat and dog owners. In this case, the food is already supplemented with fish oil. This ingredient is high in very healthy Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. This can lead to an improved coat, healthier skin, boost to the immune system, lower blood pressure, and help improving cognitive function in older pets. There are also some studies that show fish oil to help assist with certain allergies in dogs and cats. This is a higher quality ingredient.

Is this an allergy causing ingredient?

This formula contains traces of wheat extracts. While wheat is an allergy causing ingredient, it is only available in minimal amounts to trigger allergies. However, if your cat suffers from serious wheat sensitivity, it is best to avoid feeding it on this formula.

Other harmful ingredients used in cat formulas

Corn and soy – Both of these grains are commonly found in cheaper cat foods you can normally find in the grocery store. They are cheap filler ingredients that will help to make your cat feel more full, but corn and soy provide almost no nutritional value to cats. These ingredients can also be difficult for some cats to digest, so we do not recommend this product for cats with sensitive digestion issues. And finally, these are two of the most widely known allergens for cats. Most cats are not allergic to these ingredients, but many are. Cat food companies like to use these ingredients because they are cheap and boost the protein percentage in the food. However, cats digest meat proteins and plant based proteins differently. Since they are obligate carnivores, they require meat protein to live a healthy life and do not process plant proteins very well.

Artificial coloring – We find it quite irresponsible to include artificial coloring in pet food since the health concerns about these added colors are so controversial. Your cat does not care what color their food is and the only reason artificial coloring is added to this product is for marketing purposes. It makes the food look better to you YOU, the human consumer. Of course, many cat food brands are very defensive about their use of food coloring. Here is an example of how the Purina brand defends their use of fool coloring. Notice how even in their explanation, there is no perceived benefit to these ingredients other than changing the color. There is also a growing amount of evidence to suggest food coloring may be linked to cancer in not just dogs and cats, but also humans. Here is an article that explains a bit further. In short, since there is some controversy surrounding this ingredient, we find it a bit strange that cat food companies would spend money adding this ingredient into a product when at best, it has zero nutritional value for your cat and only has marketing value. At worse, it could pose health risks. It just doesn’t seem like the risk of including this ingredient is worth it.

Gluten – This ingredient is associated with causing allergies in cats. It is also known to raise sugar levels in cats. Over time, this can lead to diabetes. Gluten refers to the proteins found in wheat endosperm which is a type of tissue produced in seeds that’s ground to make flour. Many pet food manufactures will use this ingredient to help boost the protein percentage of the food.

Conclusion

Judging from the ingredient used in the manufacturing of the Science Diet Adult Tender Tuna Dinner (wet) can be termed ad nutritious ingredients. Even though it contains a few unnecessary ingredients, this formula supplies the cat’s system with the required nutrients to ensure the health of your cat. Therefore, this formula is suitable for all cats.

Compare Pricing And Read Customer Reviews Here

Science Diet Adult Tender Ocean Fish Dinner Wet Cat Food Review

June 2, 2015

user

Cat Food Reviews

Comments Off

Do you own a cat that simply loves ocean fish in their formulas? Ocean fish is a highly nutritive meat source. It is actually more nutritious than other meat types commonly used in cat formulas.

The Science Diet Adult Tender Ocean Fish Dinner (wet) is one of the many ocean fish based formulas in the market today. According to the manufacturer, this formula comes with real ocean fish chunks dipped in delicious gravy for a tasty meal. It is also said to contain other nutrients that cater for the all rounded health of your feline friend.

Is this the best formula for your fish lover?

Compare Pricing And Read Customer Reviews Here

Ingredients in Science Diet Adult Tender Ocean Fish Dinner

Water, Ocean Fish, Chicken, Liver, Egg White, Wheat Gluten, Wheat Flour, Dextrose, Rice Starch, Oat Fiber, Soybean Oil, Titanium Dioxide, Glycine, Fish Oil, Natural Flavor, Choline Chloride, Dicalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Guar Gum, Calcium Chloride, Iodized Salt, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Oxide, Thiamine Mononitrate , Caramel Color, Zinc Oxide, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Ascorbic Acid (source of vitamin C), Copper Sulfate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Manganous Oxide, Riboflavin, Biotin, Beta-Carotene, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Menadione Dimethylpyrimidinol Bisulfite (source of vitamin K).

An overview of these ingredients

Water

As you might expect, water is mostly added for moisture and cooking purposes. It does not add any nutritional value to the food.

Ocean Fish

While some ocean fish may be naturally caught fish, generally this indicates farmed fish. When ocean fish are farmed, it includes the practice of growing finfish in huge, often over crowded cages out in open ocean waters. When fish are farmed, usually the higher quality fish goes to the human food industry while the fish unsuitable for human consumption is used in the pet food industry. There is some debate about how beneficial seafood is in a cats diet, including fish, but in general it is considered a safe ingredient with a high amount of protein and an excellent source of essential fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

Chicken

Liver

Egg White

Egg whites are eggs that have been separated from the yolk. They provide a high amount of protein while at the same time, contain low amounts of cholesterol. Egg whites also contain a number of other nutrients such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, and iron. Overall this is a nutritious ingredient without much of a health risk.

Other ingredients in the formula

Wheat Gluten

We don’t think any grain is “good” for your cat. It doesn’t mean wheat gluten is “bad” for your cat, either, but the fact it provides almost no nutritional value makes us question the quality of the ingredient. Wheat gluten can be a decent protein source for animals with digestive systems that can break it down, but as obligate carnivores, cats are not one of those animals. Their digestive systems produce only the enzymes necessary for processing animal-based proteins. There are also some allergy risks associated with wheat gluten. In addition, too much of this in a cats diet can potentially lead to weight gain and diabetes. Unfortunately, diabetes in cats is a very serious health problem, so it is important to keep a close eye on your cats weight and diabetic risk when feeding a cat food containing ingredients like wheat gluten.

Wheat Flour

Fish Oil

Soybean Oil

Can this formula cause allergies?

While this formula does contain wheat extracts, they are not sufficient to trigger serious allergies reactions. This formula is only unsuitable for cats with very severe allergy cases. Otherwise other cats can feed on this formula.

Harmful ingredients used in cat formulas

Wheat, corn and soy – All three of these ingredients are known allergens for many cats. In addition, many cats have problems digesting these grain based ingredients. Since cats are obligate carnivores, their digestive systems are designed to digest meat and not grains. All of these ingredients will help to boost the protein percentage in cat food, but not all protein is created equally. Cats do not digest plant based proteins in the same way as meat proteins and in fact, gain little to no nutritional value from these grains. Several “grocery store brand” cat foods include these products to keep the price down as it is a cheap filler to help make your cat feel full as well as a cheap way to add protein to the food.

Chemical based preservatives – Chemical food preservatives are substances which, under certain conditions, either delay the growth of microorganisms without necessarily destroying them or prevent deterioration of quality during manufacture and distribution. The former group includes some natural food constituents which, when added to foods, retard or prevent the growth of microorganisms. Sugar is used partly for this purpose. Unfortunately, the full health effects on cats for many chemical food preservatives are unknown.

Conclusion

The Adult Tender Ocean Fish Dinner Formula contains nutritious ingredients that are easy to digest. Aside from being an allergy causing formula for cats with severe allergy conditions, this formula is perfectly safe for cat consumption.

Compare Pricing And Read Customer Reviews Here

Science Diet Adult Savory Salmon Entree Wet Cat Food Review

June 2, 2015

user

Cat Food Reviews

Comments Off

Looking for seafood based formulas for your cat? While other meat based formulas contain all protein and essential amino acids for cats, seafood formulas come with extra perks. They have oils and fatty acids that cater to the health of the cat’s skin and fur while boosting the immune system naturally.

The Science Diet Adult Savory Salmon Entrée (wet) is one of the formulas in the market that offers seafood as the main source of protein. According to the manufacturer, this is a formula that will tempt your cat’s taste buds and keep it coming back for more. Is this the best seafood based formula for your feline companion? Read on to find out.

Compare Pricing And Read Customer Reviews Here

The ingredients in the formula

Water, Salmon, Pork By-Products, Pork Liver, Wheat Flour, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), Corn Starch, Ground Whole Grain Corn, Powdered Cellulose, Chicken Liver Flavor, Rice Flour, Brewers Dried Yeast, Guar Gum, Locust Bean Gum, Calcium Carbonate, Carrageenan, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, DL- Methionine, Taurine, Potassium Citrate, Iodized Salt, Iron Oxide, Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Zinc Oxide, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Manganous Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin, Biotin, Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid, Sodium Selenite.

An overview of the first five ingredients

Water

As you might expect, water is mostly added for moisture and cooking purposes. It does not add any nutritional value to the food.

Salmon

Salmon is an excellent source of high quality proteins for cats and is extremely rich in healthy Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. Some people worry about mercury levels in fish. It’s true that all fish contains some degree of mercury, the level in salmon is much lower than other types of fish and the FDA doesn’t believe it is cause for concern. Most salmon in cat food is farmed salmon, but higher end cat food (especially those labeled “natural”) can often times be fished from natural lakes and streams. The biggest problem with fish ingredients, including salmon, is if the fish includes an antioxidant called ethoxyquin (EMQ). It is believe that ethoxyquin could be very harmful to cats and other animals. Always make sure you are using “Ethoxyquin free” cat food blends when they include fish ingredients. When in doubt, call the customer service number and ask.

Pork By-Products

Pork is the most widely consumed meat in the world. A 250 pound pig will only yield about 150 pounds of meat, which means there are other products, besides meat, that come from these animals. These are known as by-products. An animal product is any material derived from the body of an animal. Examples are fat, flesh, blood, milk, eggs, and lesser known products such as isinglass and rennet. Any animal by-product is typically considered to be of lower quality because it can also contain slaughterhouse waste. Slaughterhouse waste is defined as animal body parts cut off in the preparation of carcasses for use as food. This waste can come from several sources, including slaughterhouses, restaurants, stores and farms. This meat can also include what is known as 4D meat, meaning it could include slaughtered pigs that were dying, diseased, deformed, or dead before the slaughtering process. 4D meat is not approved for human consumption, so it is typically used for pet food and animal feed. The consistency and quality of this ingredient could vary over time.

Pork Liver

While beef and chicken livers are the most common liver sources in cat food, occasionally we will find pork liver. Some cat owners believe liver is toxic to cats, but this is only true in very large quantities. When provided in safe quantities, like in this food, it is completely safe. The health benefits of pork liver mostly come from its vitamin A and iron contents. Liver is said to improve eye health, balance energy levels, and improve both red and white blood cell development. Since human demand for pork liver is low, this ingredient is readily available and is a cheaper meat source.

Wheat Flour

Other ingredients in the formula

Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid) – Chicken fat is a quality source of essential fatty acids and an excellent source of energy. Fat has a positive effect on the immune system and plays a beneficial role in stress response. Essential fatty acids are required for proper growth, reproduction, normal skin structure and a healthy coat. Because chicken fat contains virtually no protein, it’s use does not cause allergic reactions associated with the use of fresh chicken or chicken meal which contain high amounts of protein. Many times, mixed tocopherols, which are a natural source of Vitamin E activity, are used as a natural preservative to maintain freshness. This is considered a higher quality fat source in pet food. Citric acid, in this case, is probably used to balance the pH level of the food.

Corn Starch – This ingredient is the starch derived from the corn grain. The starch is obtained from the endosperm of the corn kernel. While not harmful in small quantities, cats obtain virtually no nutritional value from corn. This ingredient is usually used as a cheaper filler by lower priced cat foods. Unfortunately, there is a bit of an allergy risk with this ingredient. And finally, many cats will have a tough time properly digesting corn and that could lead to diarrhea, constipation, or other stomach and digestion issues. Most cats will not have any negative reaction to this ingredient, but it’s not an ingredient we are all that excited to see listed.

Ground Whole Grain Corn – Whole “grain” in referring to corn is primarily animal feed grade corn. While it is a source of protein, fiber, and carbohydrates, this is generally considered to be a very low quality ingredient, especially if it is one of the main ingredients. Corn is a known food allergen for many cats and it is also difficult for cats to digest. Unfortunately, since cats are obligate carnivores, the protein content is not adequately digested, rendering this a pretty useless and non-nutritious ingredient. Pet food companies love using corn because it is a very cheap filler ingredient and is also a very cheap way to boost the protein percentage in the food. If your cat suffers from food allergies or stomach sensitivities, you should avoid this food.

Powdered Cellulose – Powdered cellulose is a cheap filler ingredient. It is obtain as a pulp from fibrous plant material and highly refined. Once processed, it looks and feels very similar to sawdust. Cellulose is used in a wide number of ways. In addition to being added to pet food, it is used quite a bit in human foods, but can also be used for things like insulation, rope making, and textiles. Just like in humans, this ingredient is indigestible for cats. There is no hard evidence to suggest this ingredient is unhealthy, but it wouldn’t be considered a higher quality ingredient, either.

Can this formula easily trigger allergies?

This formula is unlikely to trigger allergies. While it contains allergens, they are listed lower in the formula ingredients list. Therefore, this formula can be fed to cats with mild allergies and no allergies. However, it is best to avoid feeding cats with chronic allergies on this formula as the slightest contact will allergens can trigger serious allergic reactions.

Other ingredients to avoid feeding your cat on

BHT and BHA in cat formulas

Both BHA & BHT are preservatives that have been banned in human foods in many countries due to cancer risks. However, they remain approved for use in pet foods. A growing number of pet owners are becoming aware of the potential dangers these ingredients bring and are shunning all foods containing BHA and BHT. BHA and BHT are extremely controversial ingredients in all forms of pet food.

Conclusion

Judging by the ingredients used in this formula, this is an average cat formula. Apart from the inclusion of allergens, this formula contains healthy ingredients that are required fore healthy growth and development in cats.

Compare Pricing And Read Customer Reviews Here

Science Diet Adult Grain Free Dry Cat Food Review

June 2, 2015

user

Cat Food Reviews

Comments Off

Is your adult cat allergic to grain based formulas? Just like humans, cats too can develop food sensitivities as they age. Luckily, there are numerous formulas in the market that are designed to cater for food sensitive cats. The science diet adult grain free dry formula is one of the many formulas claimed to be grain free.

According to the company that manufacturers this formula, this grain free dry formula contains balanced nutritional ingredients to nourish the cat’s system and also support its immunity. On the science diet website, you’ll find a list of benefits your cat is supposed to get from this formula.

The big question is, does this formula live up to the hype?

Compare Pricing And Read Customer Reviews Here

Ingredients in Science Diet Adult Grain Free

Chicken, Potatoes, Yellow Peas, Pea Protein Concentrate, Chicken Fat, Potato Starch, Dried Egg Product, Chicken Meal, Dried Beet Pulp, Flaxseed, Lactic Acid, Chicken Liver Flavor, Soybean Oil, Calcium Sulfate, Vegetable & fruit blend (Green Peas, Apples, Cranberries, Carrots, Broccoli), Choline Chloride, Iodized Salt, Fish Oil, DL-Methionine, L-Lysine, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Beta-Carotene, Natural Flavors.

An overview of the first five ingredients

Chicken

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.

Yellow Peas

We are beginning to see a big increase in the usage of peas in cat food products, specifically among grain-free, holistic, and natural pet food products. While not a grain, it acts in much the same way. Peas are mostly used as a filler ingredient and do not provide nutrition to your cat. There is also very little known about the long-term effects of cats consuming peas. In dogs, there is some evidence that it could cause some stomach upset or digestion issues, although this is rare. In all likelihood, this ingredient is perfectly safe for your cat, but will not aid in providing your cat with nutrition.

Pea Protein Concentrate

Pea protein concentrates are made by separating the protein fraction of pea seeds from the fibre and starch fractions. Several processes exists, yielding products containing from 50 % to 90 % protein. This ingredient is likely added to boost the protein percentage of the food, but unfortunately, this protein is mostly wasted. Cats do not process plant based proteins like they do meat based proteins and in fact, gain very little nutritional value at all from this protein source. While this is not a grain based ingredient, it is being used in much the same way. The long-term effects peas have on cats are still a bit unknown, but we do know peas can sometimes cause digestion issues in dogs.

Chicken Fat

Chicken fat is a quality source of essential fatty acids and an excellent source of energy. Fat has a positive effect on the immune system and plays a beneficial role in stress response. Essential fatty acids are required for proper growth, reproduction, normal skin structure and a healthy coat. Because chicken fat contains virtually no protein, it’s use does not cause allergic reactions associated with the use of fresh chicken or chicken meal which contain high amounts of protein. Many times, mixed tocopherols, which are a natural source of Vitamin E activity, are used as a natural preservative to maintain freshness. This is considered a higher quality fat source in pet food.

Other ingredients worth looking at

Potato Starch

Potato starch is starch extracted from potatoes and is usually only included to assist with the consistency and texture of the food. Cats generally do not receive much nutritional value from this ingredient, although it may sometimes aid in proper digestion.

Dried Egg Product

Derived from shell free eggs, this is a cheaper source of protein used in place of higher quality meat proteins. Normally, this ingredient is derived from waste products associated with the egg industry or egg products that have been deemed unfit for human consumption.

Dried Beet Pulp

Beet pulp is a by-product from the processing of sugar beet and is a source of fiber and energy. It is popular among many pet food companies due to its high availability and low price. The most common complaint about this ingredient is that it causes digestion problems, most commonly a very hard stool or diarrhea. It has also been known to cause bloat in some dogs and cats which can be very serious if left unchecked.

Is this an allergy causing formula?

From the list of ingredient, it is clear that the adult grain free dry formula contain no allergens. This makes this formula ideal for adult cats with food sensitivities.

Harmful ingredients found in cat formulas

Corn, soy and wheat – All three of these ingredients are known allergens for many cats. In addition, many cats have problems digesting these grain based ingredients. Since cats are obligate carnivores, their digestive systems are designed to digest meat and not grains. All of these ingredients will help to boost the protein percentage in cat food, but not all protein is created equally. Cats do not digest plant based proteins in the same way as meat proteins and in fact, gain little to no nutritional value from these grains. Several “grocery store brand” cat foods include these products to keep the price down as it is a cheap filler to help make your cat feel full as well as a cheap way to add protein to the food.

Artificial color and flavoring – Both artificial and natural flavor ingredients are considered to be lower quality ingredients. Artificial flavor is usually derived from petroleum. Most have not been studied for safety or toxicity. They are all synthesized chemicals that don’t even have common names. Most artificial flavors actually contain many chemical ingredients, not just one. Many of those chemicals are volatile. Both natural and artificial flavors are chemical based ingredients and we don’t get all that excited when we see either one of those ingredients listed. Both of these ingredients have potential allergy risks and other possible health problems in cats.

We also find it quite irresponsible to include artificial coloring in pet food since the health concerns about these added colors are so controversial. Your cat does not care what color their food is and the only reason artificial coloring is added to this product is for marketing purposes. It makes the food look better to you YOU, the human consumer. Of course, many cat food brands are very defensive about their use of food coloring. Here is an example of how the Purina brand defends their use of fool coloring. Notice how even in their explanation, there is no perceived benefit to these ingredients other than changing the color. There is also a growing amount of evidence to suggest food coloring may be linked to cancer in not just dogs and cats, but also humans. Here is an article that explains a bit further. In short, since there is some controversy surrounding this ingredient, we find it a bit strange that cat food companies would spend money adding this ingredient into a product when at best, it has zero nutritional value for your cat and only has marketing value. At worse, it could pose health risks. It just doesn’t seem like the risk of including this ingredient is worth it.

Luckily, none of these harmful ingredients are in this formula.

Conclusion

From the ingredients list and the numerous reviews on this formula, this is an above average cat formula. It contains healthy, natural ingredients that offer all rounded nutrition to your cat. This makes it a recommended formula for any adult cat. The only down side is the lack of adequate animal protein.

Compare Pricing And Read Customer Reviews Here

Iams Premium Protection Kitten (Dry) Cat Food

June 2, 2015

user

Cat Food Reviews

Comments Off

Do you have a kitten? For it to mature to a healthy and strong cat, it is recommended that you feed it formulas that are highly nutritious. Nutritious formulas ensure that your kitten’s immune system, bones and general health are catered for.

Luckily, there are dozens of pet food brands that offer nutritious formulas to meet your cats need. The issue is in getting the right one.

This review will take a look at the Premium Protection Kitten (dry). This is one of the many cat formulas under the Iams line of products. According to Iams, this formula has been precisely formulated using high-quality ingredients, which promote strong immunity and healthy digestion.

So, is this formula any good? Read on to find out

Compare Pricing And Read Customer Reviews Here

Ingredients used

Chicken, Corn Meal, Chicken By-Product Meal, Poultry By-Product Meal, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed Tocopherols, a source of Vitamin E), Dried Beet Pulp, Dried Egg Product, Corn Grits, Natural Flavor, Fish Oil (preserved with mixed Tocopherols, a source of Vitamin E), Potassium Chloride, Fructooligosaccharides, Choline Chloride, Brewers Dried Yeast, DL-Methionine, Calcium Carbonate, Vitamin E Supplement, Salt, Taurine, Vitamins (Niacin, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin A Acetate, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate (source of vitamin B1), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (source of vitamin B6), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement (source of vitamin B2), Inositol, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Minerals (Zinc Oxide, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Cobalt Carbonate), Rosemary Extract.

A review of the first five ingredients

Chicken: Chicken is a very popular ingredient for pet food and in this case, they are referring to whole chicken. This is a very high quality meat source and we are pleased to see it listed. However, whole chicken loses about 80% of its content during the cooking process since the majority of whole chicken is water. After the cooking process is complete, the amount of whole chicken remaining is substantially reduced. Therefor, while whole chicken is a great source of meat protein, this ingredient alone is not enough to provide sufficient levels of meat protein in a cats diet.

Corn Meal: Considered a low quality ingredient, corn meal is usually used as a “filler ingredient” but provides almost no nutritional value to cats. This ingredient is also a known allergy causing ingredient for many cats. We aren’t all that thrilled to see this ingredient listed.

Chicken By-Product Meal: While this ingredient does provide a high amount of meat protein, this meat source is considered to be of lower quality than many other meat sources. Chicken By-Product Meal is produced through a process of cooking, drying and separation of fats and proteins from animal carcasses. It contains a dehydrated combination of meat (or cuts or parts) including lungs, spleen, kidneys, brain, livers, blood, bone, necks, undeveloped eggs and intestines. Usually, by-products are the “left overs” that can’t be used for human food consumption. The greatest fault of this ingredient is the same trait that makes it so affordable and so commonly found in pet foods. The unpredictability of what might (or might not) be included.

Poultry By-Product Meal: This ingredient is made from grinding clean, rendered parts of poultry carcasses and can contain bones, offal and undeveloped eggs, but only contains feathers that are unavoidable in the processing of the poultry parts. This ingredient is not approved for human consumption, but is used frequently in pet foods. This is because it can contain a lot of non-meat products like beaks, feet, heads and bones. Since this ingredient is dried prior to cooking, the protein percentage is quite high and that’s a good indicator. However, poultry in general can legally contain a number of birds and we aren’t able to tell exactly what bird species have been used in this ingredient. Be aware that the consistency of this ingredient may change from time to time with a variation of poultry products being used.

Chicken Fat: Chicken fat is a quality source of essential fatty acids and an excellent source of energy. Fat has a positive effect on the immune system and plays a beneficial role in stress response. Essential fatty acids are required for proper growth, reproduction, normal skin structure and a healthy coat. Because chicken fat contains virtually no protein, it’s use does not cause allergic reactions associated with the use of fresh chicken or chicken meal which contain high amounts of protein. Many times, mixed tocopherols, which are a natural source of Vitamin E activity, are used as a natural preservative to maintain freshness. This is considered a higher quality fat source in pet food.

Other ingredients of note used in this formula

Dried Beet Pulp: Beet pulp is a by-product from the processing of sugar beet and is a source of fiber and energy. It is popular among many pet food companies due to its high availability and low price. The most common complaint about this ingredient is that it causes digestion problems, most commonly a very hard stool or diarrhea. It has also been known to cause bloat in some dogs and cats which can be very serious if left unchecked.

Corn Grits: Many forms of corn are found in pet foods including corn grits. About 85% of all corn grown in the United States is genetically modified (GMO). Since cats by nature are carnivores, this ingredient does not provide much nutritional value if any, although it does add calories to the food. Corn grits can be considered a very low quality ingredient.

Fish Oil: Fish oil is a popular supplement used by cat and dog owners. In this case, the food is already supplemented with fish oil. This ingredient is high in very healthy Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. This can lead to an improved coat, healthier skin, boost to the immune system, lower blood pressure, and help improving cognitive function in older pets. There are also some studies that show fish oil to help assist with certain allergies in dogs and cats. This is a higher quality ingredient.

Will my cat suffer from allergic reaction?

The presence of allergens like corn and wheat means that there is high likelihood that your cat will suffer from allergic reactions after feeding on this formula. However, if your cat does not have a history with allergies, it is safe to try the Premium Protection Kitten (dry).

Conclusion

The Iams Premium Protection Kitten (dry) gets a mixed review. While it contains some excellent ingredients and is well balanced, it also contains derivatives of known allergens. If your kitten is not overly sensitive you could give it a shot.

Compare Pricing And Read Customer Reviews Here

Friskies Special Diet Classic Parte Beef and Chicken Entree Wet Cat Food Review

June 2, 2015

user

Cat Food Reviews

Comments Off

Do you own an adult cat that’s picky when it comes to the food it eats? Just like humans, there are cats that will eat just about any formula, and there are others that won’t. Picky cats can prove to be a handful in terms of ensuring it remains healthy. This is because your cat might enjoy feeding on formulas that provide it with little nutritional value while it hates feeding on formulas packed with nutritional goodness.

The Special Diet Classic Pate Beef and Chicken Entrée (wet) from Friskies is one of the formulas that has been advertised as being nutritionally beneficial to your cat. According to Friskies, this wet cat food is not only formulated to provide your cat with optimum nutrition, but also helps to maintain the health of your adult cat’s urinary tract by reducing its urinary pH. It has also been advertised as being made using finely ground chicken and beef.

So is all this true?

Compare Pricing And Read Customer Reviews Here

Ingredients used to make this formula

Meat by-products, water sufficient for processing, poultry by-products, beef, chicken, brewers rice, guar gum, potassium chloride, tricalcium phosphate, salt, Taurine, carrageenan, added color, zinc sulfate, thiamine mononitrate, Vitamin E supplement, ferrous sulfate, niacin, manganese sulfate, calcium pantothenate, Vitamin A supplement, copper sulfate, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, biotin, folic acid, Vitamin D-3 supplement, potassium iodide.

A closer look at the first five ingredients

Meat by-products: This is about the lowest quality meat product that can be included in any cat food. We are very disappointed to see this ingredient listed. Meat By-Products are parts of slaughtered animals including the lungs, spleen, kidneys, brain, liver, blood, bone, partially defatted low-temperature fatty tissue, and stomach and intestines freed of their contents. In addition, meat by-products can also legally contain animals that were dead, dying, or diseased before slaughtering. Many times, animals with tumors are ground and processed, meaning, ground up cancerous tumors could legally be included in your pets food. While unlikely, it can even legally include road kill. Perhaps worst of all, this ingredient COULD include meat from euthanized cats, dogs, horses, or other animals. Meat by-product is an unnamed meat source and you never know for sure where it is coming from or what animals are being used. Also note that meat by-products are not approved for human consumption. It consists of unwanted parts only acceptable in the pet food or feed industries. This is one of the most controversial meat ingredients that could be included and there is much to be concerned about when purchasing any pet food that includes meat by-products.

Water sufficient for processing: For canned foods, water being at the top of the ingredients list is normal. As you could probably guess, water doesn’t do anything in the way of providing nutritional value, but it does help to keep the food moist. Sometimes a broth will be used instead of water, but all canned foods will require a high amount of moisture content.

Poultry by-products: This ingredient is made from grinding clean, rendered parts of poultry carcasses and can contain bones, offal and undeveloped eggs, but only contains feathers that are unavoidable in the processing of the poultry parts. The quality and composition can change from one batch to another. For the most part, this ingredient contains the “non-meat” poultry products like feet, beaks, and bones. While you probably wouldn’t want to eat poultry by-products on your own dinner plate, cats tend to love this stuff. This ingredient does provide a high amount of protein, but we are unable to tell exactly what parts of the animal they are using and that is a bit troublesome.

Beef: Beef is considered to be a higher quality ingredient. It is an excellent source of animal protein and contains many other nutrients that are very important for a cat to survive and thrive. Since this is not in “meal” form, that means this ingredient still contains all of its moisture content prior to cooking. Once fully cooked, most of this ingredient will have evaporated due to its high moisture content. That means, even when this ingredient is ranked highly, it will usually only provide a small percentage of the overall protein in the food. There is no dismissing this ingredient, though. It is high quality and we are pleased to see it listed.

Other ingredients of interest used in the formula

Brewers Rice: Brewers rice is the small milled fragments of rice kernels that have been separated from the larger kernels of milled rice. It is a processed rice product that is missing many of its nutrients, but does provide a source of carbohydrates. It is a by-product of rice milling and considered a lower quality filler ingredient usually used in lower priced cat food blends. Usually, brewers rice is used to make rice flour, but if the quality is too poor for rice flour, it will then be sold to pet food or dairy feed companies. For many cats, this ingredient can cause allergies or digestion issues. Most cats will not have any problems processing this food, but it’s not one of the better ingredients, either.

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.

Carrageenan: This is an additive extracted from red and purple seaweeds, consisting of a mixture of polysaccharides. It is used as a thickening or emulsifying agent in food products. There is still much research being done on this additive and while it is generally considered safe, there is room for caution as carrageenan has produced intestinal damage and ulcers in some animal studies. If you would like more information about the ongoing research of this ingredient, you may reference this research study.

Salt: Salt is necessary for a cats body to function properly, but too much salt can be dangerous and even deadly. Usually, salt is added to pet food in order to meet AAFCO nutritional requirements. Salt, or sodium chloride, is indeed necessary so cat food that doesn’t contain enough will have a bit of it included. Salt helps your cats cells move nutrients and waste products where they need to go, and it helps his or her tummy make the right amount of acid to digest food properly. According to the Journal of Nutrition, average-sized cats need about 21 milligrams of salt per day. Many cat foods have higher concentrations than that. The National Research Council recommends no more than 42 milligrams per day. Most of the time, salt in commercial cat food products poses no danger and does have some nutritional benefit.

Will my cat suffer from allergic reactions?

There is no reason why your cat should suffer from allergic reactions after feeding on this formula. None of the ingredients used have been linked to allergic reactions in cats.

Ingredients to avoid

Corn, wheat, soy: All three of these ingredients are known allergens for many cats. In addition, many cats have problems digesting these grain based ingredients. Since cats are obligate carnivores, their digestive systems are designed to digest meat and not grains. All of these ingredients will help to boost the protein percentage in cat food, but not all protein is created equally. Cats do not digest plant based proteins in the same way as meat proteins and in fact, gain little to no nutritional value from these grains. Several “grocery store brand” cat foods include these products to keep the price down as it is a cheap filler to help make your cat feel full as well as a cheap way to add protein to the food.

Artificial preservatives and colors: Both artificial colors and preservatives are very controversial ingredients in both human foods as well as pet foods. Artificial coloring provides no nutritional value for your cat and is only used for marketing purposes. It may also have links to serious illnesses like cancer. Artificial preservatives are also thought to be lower quality ingredients that may pose a health risk to your cat.

Conclusion

Friskies Special Diet Classic Parte Beef and chicken Entrée (wet) is a formula that will give your cat all the nutrients it needs to stay strong and vibrant. It is, however, short on animal protein. Cats are obligate carnivores and should be ideally fed on animal protein. The animal protein sources in this formula appear lower in the ingredients list meaning the quantities are low. Nevertheless, this is a great formula.

Compare Pricing And Read Customer Reviews Here

Friskies Prime Fillets with Chicken in Gravy Wet Cat Food Review

June 2, 2015

user

Cat Food Reviews

Comments Off

Is your cat a sucker for chicken chunks? Are you looking for a way to make meal times for your cat more interesting? The one way to ensure your cat feeds adequately is to feed it on different formulas at different times of the day. For instance, you can get a formula for morning, lunch and dinner. This ensures that your cat does not get bored feeding on the same formula without a change.

The Friskies prime fillet with chicken in gravy wet is one of the many chicken based cat formulas available in the market today. This cat formula is ideal as a lunch or dinner formula. According to the manufacturers, this formula comes with real chicken chunks in detectable gravy. It is also said to contain healthy ingredients that your cat will enjoy feeding on.

So, is this an ideal formula for your cat? Read on and find out.

Compare Pricing And Read Customer Reviews Here

The ingredients

Water sufficient for processing, chicken, liver, wheat gluten, meat by-products, soy flour, corn starch-modified, artificial and natural flavors, salt, calcium phosphate, added colour, potassium chloride, Taurine, Choline chloride, thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin E supplement, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, niacin, calcium pantothenate, Vitamin A supplement, copper sulfate, manganese sulfate, Menadione sodium Bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, biotin, folic acid, Vitamin D-3 supplement, potassium iodide.

An in-depth look at the main ingredients used in this formula

Water sufficient for processing

For canned foods, water being at the top of the ingredients list is normal. As you could probably guess, water doesn’t do anything in the way of providing nutritional value, but it does help to keep the food moist. Sometimes a broth will be used instead of water, but all canned foods will require a high amount of moisture content.

Chicken

Liver

Wheat gluten

Meat by-products

This is about the lowest quality meat product that can be included in any cat food. We are very disappointed to see this ingredient listed. Meat By-Products are parts of slaughtered animals including the lungs, spleen, kidneys, brain, liver, blood, bone, partially defatted low-temperature fatty tissue, and stomach and intestines freed of their contents. In addition, meat by-products can also legally contain animals that were dead, dying, or diseased before slaughtering. Many times, animals with tumors are ground and processed, meaning, ground up cancerous tumors could legally be included in your pets food. While unlikely, it can even legally include road kill. Perhaps worst of all, this ingredient COULD include meat from euthanized cats, dogs, horses, or other animals. Meat by-product is an unnamed meat source and you never know for sure where it is coming from or what animals are being used. Also note that meat by-products are not approved for human consumption. It consists of unwanted parts only acceptable in the pet food or feed industries. This is one of the most controversial meat ingredients that could be included and there is much to be concerned about when purchasing any pet food that includes meat by-products.

Other ingredients in the formula worth mentioning

Soy flour

Many pet food companies seem pretty headstrong about defending their use of soy products, even calling health concerns associated with soy to be a myth. Wysong is one of those companies and to be fair, you can read their opinion about this ingredient here. However, we tend to agree with many of those outside the pet food industry that see major problems using any form of soy in cat food. There is no doubt this ingredient has been the subject of much controversy over the years and the benefits claimed by pet food companies is questionable at best. Why would pet food companies insist on using such a controversial ingredient? They claim it’s for health benefits, but we think it’s rather convenient that soy four is so cheaply made. It’s safe to say this is not considered a high quality ingredient by most experts and at best, it is a mediocre ingredient that we, in general, do not recommend for cats.

Corn starch-modified

This is a derivative of corn, chemically altered to dissolve quickly and serve as a thickener. People who have wheat and gluten allergies should avoid products with this ingredient. The ingredient is made by physically, enzymatically or chemically altering starch to change its inherent properties. In this instance, modified does not necessarily mean genetically modified, however some modified starches are likely made from genetically modified ingredients (most corn in the United States is genetically modified, for example). You probably won’t find very many people who claim this is a high quality ingredient.

Artificial and natural flavors

Both artificial and natural flavor ingredients are considered to be lower quality ingredients. Since we are looking at two different ingredients here, let’s check out what natural flavor is first. The actual definition of natural flavor is very long and confusion, but basically states that the flavor of an item can be extracted, then sprayed onto other products. Natural and artificial flavors are produced in the same factories these days. Both are considered safe, but artificial and natural flavors alike can be dangerous depending on what they are. It is actually best to avoid flavoring altogether, both natural and artificial.

Artificial flavor is usually derived from petroleum. Most have not been studied for safety or toxicity. They are all synthesized chemicals that don’t even have common names. Most artificial flavors actually contain many chemical ingredients, not just one. Many of those chemicals are volatile. In short, both natural and artificial flavors are chemical based ingredients and we don’t get all that excited when we see either one of those ingredients listed, let alone both together. Both of these ingredients have potential allergy risks and other possible health problems in cats.

Salt

Salt is necessary for a cats body to function properly, but too much salt can be dangerous and even deadly. Usually, salt is added to pet food in order to meet AAFCO nutritional requirements. Salt, or sodium chloride, is indeed necessary so cat food that doesn’t contain enough will have a bit of it included. Salt helps your cats cells move nutrients and waste products where they need to go, and it helps his or her tummy make the right amount of acid to digest food properly. According to the Journal of Nutrition, average-sized cats need about 21 milligrams of salt per day. Many cat foods have higher concentrations than that. The National Research Council recommends no more than 42 milligrams per day. Most of the time, salt in commercial cat food products poses no danger and does have some nutritional benefit.

Is this an allergy causing cat formula?

This formula contains derivatives of known allergens. Corn starch, wheat gluten and soy flour are a source of concern as they could trigger an allergic reaction if your cat is allergic to any of the ingredients.

Harmful ingredients to avoid

Gluten

This ingredient is associated with causing allergies in cats. It is also known to raise sugar levels in cats. Over time, this can lead to diabetes. Gluten refers to the proteins found in wheat endosperm which is a type of tissue produced in seeds that’s ground to make flour. Many pet food manufactures will use this ingredient to help boost the protein percentage of the food.

Added color

There is absolutely no reason to included added color into any cat food, ever. It’s extremely disappointing to see this ultra-low quality ingredient included. Added color is used for marketing purposes only. They want their product to stand out sitting on the shelf at the store, so they add coloring to their product. Essentially, the coloring is added to entice YOU (the human) to purchase the food over other brands. Your cat could care less what color the food is. Unfortunately, added color is quite controversial as there is growing evidence suggesting cancer in cats from too much food color exposure. At worse, this is a harmful ingredient and at best, it is a marketing ploy with no nutritional value or positive benefit to your cat. We usually have a tough time recommending any cat food that includes such a controversial ingredient.

Conclusion

The Friskies prime fillet with chicken in gravy (wet) is a nutrient rich formula that promises to keep your cat well nourished. The only down side is that it contains an number of questionable ingredients that should have been left out.

Compare Pricing And Read Customer Reviews Here

Friskies Prime Fillets with Beef in Gravy Wet Cat Food Review

June 2, 2015

user

Cat Food Reviews

Comments Off

Is your cat a sucker for meat? Finding the most suitable formula for your cat can be tricky. Most cats will feed on one formula for a while before they need a change while some will hardly want to feed on the same formula more than twice. For this reason, it is always best to have a wide selection available. Luckily, there are numerous brands you can choose from that offer a wide variety of meat based formulas ranging from chicken, fish to beef.

The Friskies brand is one of the many in the market today. In the Friskies stable is the Prime fillet with beef gravy among many other formula types. According to the manufacturer, this formula contains real beef that has been gently cooked in savory juices and has an irresistible aroma.

Does this formula suit your cat? Read on to find out.

Compare Pricing And Read Customer Reviews Here

The ingredients used in the formula

Water sufficient for processing, beef, liver, wheat gluten, meat by-products, turkey, soy flour, corn starch-modified, artificial and natural flavors, salt, calcium phosphate, added color, potassium chloride, Taurine, Choline chloride, thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin E supplement, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, niacin, calcium pantothenate, Vitamin A supplement, copper sulfate, manganese sulfate, Menadione sodium Bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, biotin, folic acid, Vitamin D-3 supplement, potassium iodide.

A closer look at the firs five ingredients in the formula

Water sufficient for processing

Beef

Beef is considered to be a higher quality ingredient. It is an excellent source of animal protein and contains many other nutrients that are very important for a cat to survive and thrive. Since this is not in “meal” form, that means this ingredient still contains all of its moisture content prior to cooking. Once fully cooked, most of this ingredient will have evaporated due to its high moisture content. That means, even when this ingredient is ranked highly, it will usually only provide a small percentage of the overall protein in the food. There is no dismissing this ingredient, though. It is high quality and we are pleased to see it listed.

Liver

Wheat gluten

Meat by-products

Other ingredients in the formula

Turkey

As a whole meat ingredient, turkey is a fantastic source of very healthy animal based proteins. We are extremely pleased to see this ingredient listed. Unfortunately, in dry kibbles, there is not as much of this ingredient included as you might initially think. Ingredients are listed by weight prior to the cooking process and since whole turkey is about 70% moisture, the vast majority is cooked off. So while we think this is an excellent and nutritional ingredient, it does need to be complimented by other high quality meat protein ingredients when used in dry kibbles. In wet cat foods, however, this is not nearly as much of a concern.

Soy flour

Corn starch-modified

Is this an allergy causing formula?

Looking at the list of ingredients used in making the formula, it is clear that your cat could fall victim to an allergic reaction due to the inclusion of soy and wheat products.

Ingredients to avoid

Gluten

BHA – BHT

Both BHA & BHT are preservatives that have been banned in human foods in many countries due to cancer risks. However, they remain approved for use in pet foods. A growing number of pet owners are becoming aware of the potential dangers these ingredients bring and are shunning all foods containing BHA and BHT. A quick internet search on these preservatives will show that the backlash is gaining steam with many cat food companies abandoning these ingredients. BHA and BHT are extremely controversial ingredients in all forms of pet food.

Conclusion

Friskies Prime Filets with Beef in Gravy wet is an average formula. It is a protein rich formula that your cat is bound to enjoy. The inclusion of derivatives of corn and wheat is, however, worrying. The manufacturer would have done better if they had left them out. Avoid this formula if you have an overly sensitive cat. Otherwise, it is a perfectly safe cat food.

Compare Pricing And Read Customer Reviews Here

Friskies Plus with Ocean Fish in Sauce Wet Cat Food Review

June 2, 2015

user

Cat Food Reviews

Comments Off

Does your cat love feeding on fish? There are dozens of cat formulas that have fish as part of the main ingredients. Fish is great for cats as they are packed with nutritional goodness. Even so, the type of fish used will greatly determine the nourishment your cat will get because not all fish have the same nutritional value.

Friskies is a cat food brand that makes a variety of cat formulas, among them the Plus with ocean Fish in Sauce. According to the manufacturer, this cat formula has moist bits of ocean fish sauce that will see your cat purr in utter delight. The formula has also been advertised as having additional health benefits that support your cat’s coat and skin health.

Are all these things true or is it just a marketing gimmick?

Compare Pricing And Read Customer Reviews Here

Ingredients used to make this formula

Water sufficient for processing, ocean fish, turkey, wheat gluten, chicken, meat by-products, liver, soy flour, corn starch-modified, artificial and natural flavors, corn oil, potassium chloride, Taurine, added color, salt, calcium phosphate, choline chloride, Vitamin E supplement, zinc sulfate, thiamine mononitrate, ferrous sulfate, niacin, copper sulfate, manganese sulfate, calcium pantothenate, Vitamin A supplement, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, biotin, folic acid, Vitamin D-3 supplement, potassium iodide.

A closer look at the first five ingredients

Ocean fish: While some ocean fish may be naturally caught fish, generally this indicates farmed fish. When ocean fish are farmed, it includes the practice of growing finfish in huge, often over crowded cages out in open ocean waters. When fish are farmed, usually the higher quality fish goes to the human food industry while the fish unsuitable for human consumption is used in the pet food industry. There is some debate about how beneficial seafood is in a cats diet, including fish, but in general it is considered a safe ingredient with a high amount of protein and an excellent source of essential fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

Turkey: As a whole meat ingredient, turkey is a fantastic source of very healthy animal based proteins. We are extremely pleased to see this ingredient listed. Unfortunately, in dry kibbles, there is not as much of this ingredient included as you might initially think. Ingredients are listed by weight prior to the cooking process and since whole turkey is about 70% moisture, the vast majority is cooked off. So while we think this is an excellent and nutritional ingredient, it does need to be complimented by other high quality meat protein ingredients when used in dry kibbles. In wet cat foods, however, this is not nearly as much of a concern.

Wheat gluten: We don’t think any grain is “good” for your cat. It doesn’t mean wheat gluten is “bad” for your cat, either, but the fact it provides almost no nutritional value makes us question the quality of the ingredient. Wheat gluten can be a decent protein source for animals with digestive systems that can break it down, but as obligate carnivores, cats are not one of those animals. Their digestive systems produce only the enzymes necessary for processing animal-based proteins. There are also some allergy risks associated with wheat gluten. In addition, too much of this in a cats diet can potentially lead to weight gain and diabetes. Unfortunately, diabetes in cats is a very serious health problem, so it is important to keep a close eye on your cats weight and diabetic risk when feeding a cat food containing ingredients like wheat gluten.

Other ingredients used

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.

Potassium chloride: This chemical compound sometimes goes by the name “trace minerals.” It is a “metal halide salt” composed of potassium and chlorine. It is used in medicine, scientific applications, and food processing. Since potassium is an important nutrient for cats, this is a good way to supply it. It is also commonly used as a replacement for salt and to balance the pH level of the food to meet various requirements. Not only is it used in cat food, it is frequently used in human foods and medications as well. There is some evidence to suggest small intestinal ulcers may occur in cats after prolonged exposure to this ingredient, but this has yet to be proven or disproven.

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.

Choline chloride: Like humans and many other species, cats require choline. Almost all commercial pet food blends will contain supplemental choline. This ingredient mostly helps with cell function.

Will my cat suffer from allergic reactions?

The presence of ingredients that have been associated with allergies in cats might raise a few brows. There is a possibility that your cat will suffer from allergic reactions after feeding on this formula.

Ingredients to avoid

Artificial preservatives: Artificial preservatives are a group of chemical substances added to food, sprayed on the outside of food, or added to certain medications to retard spoilage, discoloration, or contamination by bacteria and other disease organisms. These additives are man-made, though some do exist in some forms in nature. They are generally considered safe despite the fact that some are known to be carcinogenic and toxic. Many side effects and illnesses are related to their consumption. What’s even more unfortunate is that we are not given full information here. The label “artificial preservatives” could include any number of man-made chemical based preservatives. While it doesn’t necessarily mean this ingredient is harmful, it could be. We just don’t know which specific preservatives are being used here. Without adequate labeling and information for cat owners, we remain skeptical.

Conclusion

The presence of allergy causing ingredients might be a cause for concern for cat owners. However, it is worth noting that the allergy causing ingredients have not been used in their pure form. There is a possibility that the allergy causing factor is not present. Consult your vet before feeding this formula to cats that have previously suffered from allergic reactions. This formula can be termed as being average.

Compare Pricing And Read Customer Reviews Here

The Friskies Indoor Classic Pate Salmon Dinner Wet Cat Food Review

June 2, 2015

user

Cat Food Reviews

Comments Off

Are you in search of a quality fish protein based cat food? There are numerous formulas in the market that claim to offer fish protein sources. However, many cat food manufacturers use flavoring agents to give the formula a fish taste but do not use real fish in the ingredients. Therefore, it is vital that you ensure you get real fish formulas.

The Friskies indoor classic pate salmon dinner (wet) is one of the many formulas in the market today. According to the manufacturing company, this formula contains real salmon fish among other healthy ingredients. It is said to contain healthy ingredients that support proper growth in cats and also to support the health of your adult cat.

Is this formula as good as it is said to be?

Compare Pricing And Read Customer Reviews Here

The ingredients

Meat By-Products, Water Sufficient For Processing, Salmon, Poultry By-Products, Fish, Rice, Artificial And Natural Flavors, Calcium Phosphate, Guar Gum, Added Color (Red 3 And Other Color), Potassium Chloride, Salt, Carrageenan, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Sodium Nitrite (To Promote Color Retention), Manganese Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source Of Vitamin K Activity), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Potassium Iodide.

An overview of the first five ingredients

Meat By-Products

Water Sufficient For Processing

Salmon

Poultry By-Products

This ingredient is made from grinding clean, rendered parts of poultry carcasses and can contain bones, offal and undeveloped eggs, but only contains feathers that are unavoidable in the processing of the poultry parts. The quality and composition can change from one batch to another. For the most part, this ingredient contains the “non-meat” poultry products like feet, beaks, and bones. While you probably wouldn’t want to eat poultry by-products on your own dinner plate, cats tend to love this stuff. This ingredient does provide a high amount of protein, but we are unable to tell exactly what parts of the animal they are using and that is a bit troublesome.

Fish

The fish used in canned pet foods usually includes parts of the fish not typically used for human consumption. It is high in phosphorus and magnesium, which can be an issue in cats with a history of urinary tract disorders or kidney disease. Most fish used in pet food is that of very low quality, including farmed fish and discarded fish that is deemed unacceptable for human consumption. There is also a risk of mercury exposure as many types of fish contain a high mercury level. Over long periods of time, this can become hazardous. It is also important to try and find a cat food with ethoxyquin free fish. Most cat food brands do not disclose if their fish is ethoxyquin free and if it isn’t, that could pose some problems. Most cats love the taste of fish and will be happy to eat it, but it isn’t part of a regular diet for wild cats. Nonetheless, this is a high protein source with essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

Other ingredients in this cat food

Rice

This is a grain that many cat owners are trying to avoid because it is a known allergen for many cats. The ingredient doesn’t supply much of any nutritional value, either. However, of all the grain products used in cat food, this grain has the lowest risk of causing allergies. There is also a growing risk of arsenic in rice. So far, the FDA believes the arsenic levels are low enough to be safe for humans and pets. However, you might want to read more about this, just so you are aware. Many cat food companies like to use this ingredient because it helps to make your cat feel more full and it is one of the easier grains for cats to digest.

Artificial and Natural Flavors

Calcium Phosphate

Calcium phosphate is the name given to a family of minerals containing calcium ions together with orthophosphates, metaphosphates or pyrophosphates and occasionally hydrogen or hydroxide ions. It is a natural product used to supplement the major minerals, calcium and of course, phosphorus. Many people wonder if this can be a toxic substance, but fortunately, not one case of lead toxicity has ever been reported that we are aware of. In proper quantities, this can be a very beneficial ingredient. However, when ingested in too high amounts, cats could possibly form a urinary tract infection or kidney stones over time. Overall, however, this is considered a pretty safe ingredient with various nutritional benefits.

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.

Is this an allergy causing formula?

According to the ingredients used in this cat food, it is unlikely that this formula can cause allergies. It lacks the common allergens. Even so, it is important to go through the ingredients list to rule out the possibility that the formula contains an ingredient your cat is allergic to.

Harmful ingredients for cat foods

Soy and corn – Both of these grains are commonly found in cheaper cat foods you can normally find in the grocery store. They are cheap filler ingredients that will help to make your cat feel more full, but corn and soy provide almost no nutritional value to cats. These ingredients can also be difficult for some cats to digest, so we do not recommend this product for cats with sensitive digestion issues. And finally, these are two of the most widely known allergens for cats. Most cats are not allergic to these ingredients, but many are. Cat food companies like to use these ingredients because they are cheap and boost the protein percentage in the food. However, cats digest meat proteins and plant based proteins differently. Since they are obligate carnivores, they require meat protein to live a healthy life and do not process plant proteins very well.

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.

Conclusion

The Friskies indoor classic pate salmon dinner (wet) is an average cat formula. Even though it does not contain allergens, it lacks in some healthy and natural ingredients ideal for cat formulas. The use of low quality protein sources is also worrying especially due to their abundance. Otherwise, it is a viable formula for any cat.

Compare Pricing And Read Customer Reviews Here