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Eukanuba Adult Entree with Pacific Salmon Cat Food Review

June 2, 2015

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Fish ingredients have become very popular in cat food, so we decided to perform this Eukanuba Adult Entree with Pacific Salmon Cat Food review for those of you who want to feed a fish based diet to your cat. While there are many cat food blends that offer fish as a source of protein, it is important to research several different blends before purchasing. Not all cat food blends are made equal!

Eukanuba is owned by Procter & Gamble and uses a manufacturing plant in Leipsic, Ohio. In 1969, Paul Iams wanted to find a name to differentiate the new formula from other Iams pet food products. Iams chose to name this new formula “Eukanuba”, a term originated by jazz era personality Hoagy Carmichael, meaning “the tops” or “something supreme” (read more on Wikipedia).

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Ingredients in Eukanuba Adult Entree with Pacific Salmon Cat Food

Meat Broth, Chicken, Meat By-Products, Chicken By-Products, Salmon, Natural Flavor, Ocean fish, Brewers Rice, Carrots, Broccoli, Dried Beet Pulp, Sweet Potatoes, Flax Meal, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Guar Gum, Sun cured Alfalfa, Brewers Dried Yeast, Titanium Dioxide, Dried Egg Product, Minerals (Manganese Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Potassium Iodide, Copper Sulfate), Carrageenan, Choline Chloride, Vitamins (Vitamin A Acetate, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (source of vitamin B6, Biotin), DL-Methionine, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement (source of vitamin B2), Menadione Dimethylpyrimidinol Bisulfite (source of vitamin K3), Folic Acid), Taurine, Fructooligosaccharides, Iron Oxide, Thiamine Mononitrate (source of vitamin B1), Vitamin E Supplement.

Top 5 Ingredients Breakdown

Whenever you are reviewing a commercial cat food blend, it is good practice to pay special attention to the first 5 ingredients listed. These ingredients make up the vast majority of the nutritional content in the food. Let’s take a look at the top 5 ingredients in this cat food.

Meat broth

Used as a source of moisture and flavor, meat broth is normally considered a higher alternative to plain water, even though it doesn’t provide much nutritional value. It’s unfortunately this broth is from an unnamed meat source. Normally, we like to see named meat sources for the broth such as chicken broth or turkey broth. In this case, we are left guessing what meat source is used to create the broth. I can literally be from almost any animal and that is a bit concerning.

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.

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.

Chicken By-Products

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 is produced through a process of cooking, drying and separation of fats and proteins from animal carcasses. It contains a 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.

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.

Additional Ingredients Of Interest In Eukanuba Adult Entree With Pacific Salmon Cat Food

Broccoli

This is a very rich source of vitamin C, soluble fiber, calcium as well as other nutrients. While not dangerous to your cat, it has been associated with an increase in flatulence in many cats.

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.

Sweet potato

Sweet potatoes provide a great source of potassium, vitamin B, and beta-carotene. This ingredient also provides antioxidant agents that specifically help to fight against cancer causing agents. This is a higher quality ingredient with no known negative side-effects.

Allergy Risk Associated With Eukanuba Adult Entree With Pacific Salmon Cat Food

Fortunately, this cat food is free from the main allergy causing ingredients. Every cat is unique in their own way and your cat may suffer from a rare food allergy, but in general, we believe the allergy risk associated with this food is quite low.

Conclusion

We have mixed feelings about Eukanuba ADult Entree with Pacific Salmon. For starters, there isn’t actually much salmon in this blend. Since the salmon included is whole salmon, after the cooking process has been complete, this ingredient likely wouldn’t even be listed in the top 5. So if you’re looking for a true salmon based cat food, we do not recommend this blend. In addition, we see some very generic ingredients used. The top ingredient is meat broth which is an unnamed source. “Meat” can come from just about any animal. Further down the list, we see meat by-product and that is about the lowest quality meat on the market. While it doesn’t automatically mean they use poor quality meat, they legally can use low quality meat under the guise of that ingredient name. This includes animals who were sick, dead, dying or diseased before slaughtering, including the slaughter of animals with tumors and even roadkill may be legally used (though unlikely). Many of the named meat sources are by-products as well. Generally named meat by-products aren’t nearly as low in quality as unnamed meat by-products, they still aren’t considered to be the highest quality meat sources available.

While many cat owners report great results with this food, we are not all that impressed. Judging by the ingredients, we believe this is a below average quality cat food. Do you agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comment section below.

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By Nature Weight Control Cat Food Review

June 2, 2015

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Cat Food Reviews

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When it comes to feeding your pet, it is normal to want the pet food brand that offers the most nutritional benefit to your cat. These days, most pet food makers stuff their blends with fillers that are of low nutritional benefit to pets as a cost cutting measure. To find out which pet formula offers the most nutritional benefit, it is important to review the product ingredients in detail. The By Nature pet food brand is one of the many cat food brands in the market. You can get dry and wet cat foods under this brand. The By Nature Weight Control Cat Food blend is designed specifically for overweight cats.

By Nature Cat Food formulas are manufactured by the By Nature Company which is a company under the Blue Seal Foods Company. This is a company mostly associated with the manufacture of horse feed, but it has all sorts of pet foods under its umbrella. Today, the company has nine manufacturing plants throughout the United States with the By Nature products being manufactured in their New Hampshire plant.

The By Nature Weight Control dry cat food formula is one of the many cat formulas under the By Nature brand. According to the manufacturing company, this is an adult cat formula containing 8% less fat compared to adult life formulas. The manufacturing company also claims that this formula is rich in protein from salmon, chicken, and duck.

If you have an overweight cat, you may want to consider speaking to a veterinarian before switching your cats food as your cat may have an unrecognized health problem resulting in the weight gain.

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Ingredients In By Nature Weight Control Cat Food

Chicken Meal, Ground Barley, Ground Oats, Ground Brown Rice, Salmon Meal, Duck Meal, Flaxseed Meal, Chicken Fat (Stabilized with Mixed Tocopherols), Fish Oil, Chicken Livers, Yeast Culture, Alfalfa Meal, Salt, Tomato Pomace, Vitamin E Supplement, Taurine, Zinc Proteinate, Choline Chloride, Vitamin A Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Blueberries, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Sweet Potatoes, Cranberries, Dried Chicory Root, Carrots, Turmeric, Raspberries, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Niacin Supplement, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Riboflavin Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Sodium Selenite, Biotin, L-Carnitines, Dried Yeast Fermentation Solubles

Top 5 Ingredients Analysis

When analyzing any cat food blend, you should always pay particular attention to the first 5 ingredients. These ingredients make up the vast majority of the nutritional content in to food.

Chicken meal – Chicken meal is ground up chicken meat that has been carefully dried to a moisture level of 10%. The protein content is 65% and the fat level is 12%. Many pet owners feel that chicken is a superior ingredient to chicken meal. It would seem logical that feeding a pet a whole, non-rendered chicken would be good. However, whole chicken still contains its moisture content prior to cooking and since whole chicken consists of about 80% moisture, after the cooking process is over there isn’t much left. With chicken meal, the moisture was removed prior to cooking. That means, chicken meal actually has a much higher protein percentage and provides far more beneficial nutrients to your cats than whole chicken. Meals consist of meat and skin, with or without the bones, but exclusive of feathers/hair, heads, feet, horns, entrails etc. and have the proper calcium/phosphorus ratio required for a balanced diet. It’s also important to note the quality difference between “chicken by-product meal” and “chicken meal.” While we do take exception to chicken by-products, chicken meal is actually a very high quality and nutritious ingredient. We are happy to see this listed.

Ground barley – With barley being a starchy carbohydrate, it supplies healthy nutrients such as fiber to the cat. Barley also gives your cat sugar level stability. Ground or pearled barley is produced from whole barley seeds that have been scoured to remove the seed hull and bran. This is a common ingredient in weight control pet foods due to its slow digestibility, starch, and soluble fibers.

Ground oats – Oats are inexpensive, readily available, and have become much more popular in pet foods. While oats provide a good source of protein, cats will not process the proteins very efficiently. However, this does provide a natural source of iron, manganese, zinc, and B vitamins. Another advantage to oats is that so far, they are not grown using GMO’s (genetically modified organisms). This ingredient has also been shown to aid in digestion and also improve the health of a cat’s fur, coat, and skin health.

Ground brown rice – Brown rice and white rice have similar amounts of calories and carbohydrates. The main differences between the two forms of rice lie in processing and nutritional content. When only the outermost layer of a grain of rice (the husk) is removed, brown rice is produced. To produce white rice, the next layers underneath the husk (the bran layer and the germ) are removed, leaving mostly the starchy endosperm. While many cat owners like to stay away from grain based ingredients, rice in general is easy for cats to digest and is not likely to cause allergic reactions. The rice will expand in your cats stomach helping him or her feel more full. So while this ingredient may not be especially nutritious, it does have value in the food and is unlikely to cause major problems. You should still avoid this ingredient if your cat has suffered from grain allergies in the past, but overall, this is a very low-risk ingredient even though it is a grain.

Salmon meal – 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 causes any problems at all. 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.

Additional Ingredients Of Interest In By Nature Weight Control Cat Food

Tomato pomace – Tomato pomace is an inexpensive by-product of tomato manufacturing. Effectively, it is what is left over after processing tomatoes for juice, ketchup, soup, etc. Many cat owners shy away from any tomato based products because in larger quantities, tomatoes can be toxic to cats and cat owners are told to never feed tomatoes to their cats. However, pet food manufactures include tomatoes well within safe limits and it might even help provide cats with additional vitamins and other nutrients naturally. The biggest concern with this ingredient is that it is basically the left overs of the human food industry. This is probably what is cleaned up off of the floor, conveyer belts, etc.

Turmeric – a bright yellow aromatic powder obtained from the rhizome of a plant of the ginger family, used for flavoring and coloring. This ingredient is not going to add any nutrition to the food, but it might make the food more palatable for your cat.

Allergy Risks Associated With By Nature Weight Control Cat Food

The By Nature Weight Control formula for cats has not been linked to any major allergic reactions. It contains none of the common allergens found in many other cat food blends. Overall, the allergy risk in this food is pretty low.

Poor Quality Ingredients Commonly Found In Cat Food

Corn – Unfortunately, corn is one of the most widely known food allergens for cats. If your cat does not have a pre-existing allergy to this ingredient, he or she should not experience any allergic reactions. However, this ingredient is also difficult for many cats to digest, so you should keep an eye on your cat for any digestion problems or stomach upset. And finally, this ingredient is normally used in cheaper cat food products as a filler ingredient. It will help make your cat feel more full and will also boost the protein percentage of the food. Since cats are obligate carnivores, however, they do not digest plant based proteins like they do animal based proteins. Overall, this ingredient is pretty lousy unless it is only included in smaller quantities. If your cat suffers from digestion issues or food allergies, do not feed this food to your cat.

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.

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.

Fortunately, none of the above ingredients are present in the By Nature Weight Control cat formula.

Conclusion

The By Nature Weight Control Cat Food Blend is specifically made for overweight cats. As such, it is devoid of some of the best ingredients. For example, there are many low quality protein sources int his food. However, we don’t see any ingredients to be especially concerned with. Based on the ingredients list alone, we believe this is an average quality cat food.

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By Nature Seven Sea Food Platter Dry Cat Food Review

June 2, 2015

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Cat Food Reviews

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By Nature cat food formulas have been in the market for decades and as of this review, they have not experienced a recall. It’s only natural for pet owners to want to try out their products as this brand is considered to be of very high quality. If you are wondering whether this is the pet food brand for you, read on.

By Nature Pet Foods are manufactured by the By Nature Company. This is an affiliate company of the Blue Seal Feeds Company, known for the manufacturing of horse feeds. This company started out as horse feed manufacturer in 1868. Today, it produces pet formulas for both cats and dogs. By Nature is one of the brands under this company and is manufactured at the company’s processing plant in New Hampshire. In total, the Blue Seal Feeds has nine manufacturing plants all around the US.

One of the formulas under the By Nature brand is the Seven Sea Food Platter. This is a dry cat formula made from a blend of seven seafood sources that provide your cat with the required nutrition to build muscle and remain healthy.

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Ingredients in By Nature Seven Sea Food Platter Cat Food

Salmon Meal, Ground Oats, Ground Brown Rice, Chicken Meal, Chicken Fat (Stabilized with Mixed Tocopherols), Menhaden Meal, Potato Meal, Herring Meal, Salmon, Egg Product, Catfish Meal, Tomato Pomace, Lobster Meal, Sardine Meal, Crab Meal, Natural Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Chicken Livers, Herring Oil, Yeast Culture, Salt, Taurine, DL-Methionine, Vitamin E Supplement, L-Lysine Monohydrochloride, Choline Chloride, Zinc Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Dried Chicory Root, Blueberries, Cranberries, Turmeric, Raspberries, Niacin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Betaine, Folic Acid, Calcium Iodate, Biotin, Sodium Selenite, Bacillus Subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis.

The first five ingredients are the most important in any cat formula. They represent the vast majority of the nutritional composition of the formula.

Top 5 Ingredients Analysis

Salmon Meal – 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 causes any problems at all. 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.

Ground Oats – Oats are inexpensive, readily available, and have become much more popular in pet foods. While oats provide a good source of protein, cats will not process the proteins very efficiently. However, this does provide a natural source of iron, manganese, zinc, and B vitamins. Another advantage to oats is that so far, they are not grown using GMO’s (genetically modified organisms). This ingredient has also been shown to aid in digestion and also improve the health of a cat’s fur, coat, and skin health.

Ground Brown Rice – Brown rice and white rice have similar amounts of calories and carbohydrates. The main differences between the two forms of rice lie in processing and nutritional content. When only the outermost layer of a grain of rice (the husk) is removed, brown rice is produced. To produce white rice, the next layers underneath the husk (the bran layer and the germ) are removed, leaving mostly the starchy endosperm. While many cat owners like to stay away from grain based ingredients, rice in general is easy for cats to digest and is not likely to cause allergic reactions. The rice will expand in your cats stomach helping him or her feel more full. So while this ingredient may not be especially nutritious, it does have value in the food and is unlikely to cause major problems. You should still avoid this ingredient if your cat has suffered from grain allergies in the past, but overall, this is a very low-risk ingredient even though it is a grain.

Chicken Meal – Chicken meal is ground up chicken meat that has been carefully dried to a moisture level of 10%. The protein content is 65% and the fat level is 12%. Many pet owners feel that chicken is a superior ingredient to chicken meal. It would seem logical that feeding a pet a whole, non-rendered chicken would be good. However, whole chicken still contains its moisture content prior to cooking and since whole chicken consists of about 80% moisture, after the cooking process is over there isn’t much left. With chicken meal, the moisture was removed prior to cooking. That means, chicken meal actually has a much higher protein percentage and provides far more beneficial nutrients to your cats than whole chicken. Meals consist of meat and skin, with or without the bones, but exclusive of feathers/hair, heads, feet, horns, entrails etc. and have the proper calcium/phosphorus ratio required for a balanced diet. It’s also important to note the quality difference between “chicken by-product meal” and “chicken meal.” While we do take exception to chicken by-products, chicken meal is actually a very high quality and nutritious ingredient. We are happy to see this listed.

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.

Additional Ingredients Of Interest In By Nature Seven Sea Food Platter Cat 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.

Herring meal – Herring is a silvery fish that is most abundant in coastal waters. Fish provides an excellent source of proteins as well as high amounts of 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 causes any problems. Most herring in cat food is likely farmed herring, but higher end cat food (especially those labeled “natural”) can often times be fished from natural environments. The biggest problem with fish ingredients, including herring, 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.

Allergy Risks Associated With By Nature Seven Sea Cat Food

The by nature seven sea food platter cat formula is not known to cause allergies. This is because it is made from natural ingredients and contains none of the main allergy causing ingredients commonly found in cat food. We believe this cat food has a very low allergy risk.

Poor Quality Ingredients Commonly Found In Cat Food

Corn, wheat 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.

Artificial flavoring and 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.

Artificial color is added to cat food for marketing purposes only. Unfortunately, there may be some evidence linking various food coloring to cancer in cats. Since this provides absolutely no nutritional benefit to your cat and can only harm your cat, we find it rather unfortunate they included it here.

Artificial food coloring – There is absolutely no reason to included artificial colors into any cat food, ever. It’s extremely disappointing to see this ultra-low quality ingredient included. Added artificial coloring 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.

None of these ingredients are present in the By Nature Seven Seafood Platter cat food formula.

Conclusion

Cat owners seem to be very receptive to this dry cat food. We are pleased with the protein percentage and feel the ingredients are above average for most dry cat food blends.

By Nature Chicken Stew Wet Cat Food Review

June 2, 2015

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Cat Food Reviews

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By Nature is a pet food brand known for its production of natural and organic pet formulas. The By Nature pet formulas are manufactured by the By Nature Company which is a branch of the Blue Seal Feeds Company, known for manufacturing foods for different animals.

Initially, the Blue Seal Feeds Company was started as a horse feeds manufacturing company way back in the 1800’s. Since that time, it has expanded its operations and now manufactures foods for a variety of pets and animals. Today, the company has nine manufacturing plants distributed throughout the United States. The By Nature formulas are manufactured in one of the plants located in Londonderry, New Hampshire.

One product under the By Nature brand is the By Nature Chicken Stew Wet Cat Food formula. According to the manufacturer, this cat formula is specially formulated to boost the cat’s immune system.

As a cat owner, you might wonder whether this formula is good for your cat. This review of By Nature Chicken Stew cat food will help you make an informed decision.

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Ingredients in By Nature Chicken Stew Cat Food

Chicken, Chicken Broth, Fish Broth, Chicken Liver, Egg, Natural Flavor, Salmon, Pea Flour, Salmon Oil, Guar Gum, Carrots, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Alfalfa Meal, Salt, Spinach, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Taurine, Cranberries, Choline Chloride, Magnesium Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Copper Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Niacin Supplement (Vitamin B3), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Vitamin E Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), d-Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Biotin (Vitamin B7), Vitamin D2 Supplement, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Vitamin B12 Supplement.

All ingredients used in this cat formula have been blended to meet the AAFCO nutritional requirements for pet formulas.

Top 5 Ingredients Breakdown

Always pay close attention to the first five ingredients in any cat formula. These ingredients represent the vast majority of the formula’s nutritional value.

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.

Chicken broth – While chicken broth does not add much nutritional value to the food, it does add flavor and is considered to be a better alternative to water. The main reason for adding this ingredient is simply to add moisture.

Fish broth – Fish broth is a mostly non-nutritious ingredient used to add moisture to the food. It is considered a better alternative to plain water and does provide an enhanced taste for cats. We do wish this broth came from a named fish source as the broth could have been made using almost any type of fish and almost any part of the fish. However, this is still considered a safe ingredient and we aren’t too concerned about the unnamed source this broth comes from.

Chicken liver – Here is another ingredient you probably wouldn’t want to see on your own dinner plate, but most cats seem to enjoy the taste of liver. Uncooked liver, or liver in very high quantities, can actually be toxic to cats. However, in this food, it is clearly provided well within safe limits. In fact, this ingredient is a pretty high quality ingredient overall. It provides a good source of vitamins, minerals, proteins, and other nutrients your cat can benefit from.

Egg – While raw eggs can cause some skin problems in cats, cooked eggs are healthy for cats and supply quite a bit of protein. Some cat owners prefer only feeding egg whites because the yolks can add a fairly high amount of cholesterol. In addition to the protein content, eggs also supply potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, and iron. In moderation, this is considered a healthy ingredient for cats.

Additional Ingredients Of Interest In By Nature Chicken Stew Cat Food

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.

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.

Spinach – While it certainly sounds like a healthy ingredient, the truth is, spinach doesn’t add much nutritional value to the food. It does supply some various nutrients and vitamins, but the levels are quite low. Many companies like to include this ingredient as it looks great on the ingredients list, but in general, it is not all that nutritious for cats. On the flip side, there is very little to worry about and this ingredient is considered to be very safe for most cats.

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.

Allergy Risks With By Nature Chicken Stew Cat Food

This cat formula contains no corn, soy or wheat; the three most common allergens in cat foods. There have been no widespread reports yet on allergic reaction after feeding cats on this formula. We believe the allergy risk in this food is very low, but always be sure to keep a close eye on your cat when feeding a new cat food. Many cats suffer from unusual food allergies.

Poor Quality Ingredients Commonly Found In Cat Food

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.

Grains – Grains have become a staple in many pet foods. Since most grains are readily available at very low prices, cat food companies like using this ingredient as a cheap filler to help make your cat feel more full. Adding grains to a cat food is also a very cheap way to boost the listed protein percentage of a food. Unfortunately, cats do not gain much of any nutritional benefit from grain-based proteins since cats are obligate carnivores. In addition, grains are difficult to digest for many cats and are known to cause some allergic reactions in others.

Artificial coloring, preservative and flavoring – 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.

Fortunately, none of these ingredients are present in the By Nature Chicken Stew formula.

Conclusion

Overall, we think this is a pretty good cat food blend. We don’t see many controversial ingredients and the allergy risk associated with this food appears to be low. Based on the ingredients alone, we believe this is an average quality cat food.

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By Nature 95% Turkey and Turkey Liver Canned Cat Food Review

June 2, 2015

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Are you looking for a cat food that will keep your cat coming back for more? You can easily get stressed when you realize that your cat is not eating or doesn’t like their current food. Maybe it’s time for a switch? With so many formulas on the market, choosing the most ideal cat food can be overwhelming. This By Nature 95% Turkey and Turkey Liver cat food review is designed to help you understand the ingredients in this blend.

By Nature is one of the many pet formula brands that offer protein rich cat formulas. The 95% turkey and turkey liver formula is one of the many formulas under the By Nature brand. According to By Nature, this formula contains 95% turkey and turkey liver. This makes it ideal for cats having a hard time feeding on other meat types.

Is this formula as good as it sounds? Read our full By Nature 95% Turkey and Turkey Liver canned cat food review below.

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Ingredients in By Nature 95% Turkey and Turkey Liver Canned Cat Food

Turkey, Turkey Broth, Turkey Liver, Sun-Cured Alfalfa Meal, Flaxseed, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, Carrageenan, Guar Gum, Taurine, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Niacin Supplement (Vitamin B3), Vitamin E Supplement, b-Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Biotin (Vitamin B7), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D2 Supplement, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9).

Top 5 Ingredients Analysis

The most important nutrients in any pet food formula is the first 5 ingredients. This is because they make up the largest percentage of the nutritional value of 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.

Turkey Broth

Any type of broth is mostly used as an alternative to simply using water. It adds moisture to the food and a broth helps to make the food more appetizing and tastier for your cat. This ingredient is rather void of much nutritional value, but there is no evidence to suggest there are any problems with this ingredient. It can be commonly found in many different brands of cat food.

Turkey 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.

Sun Cured Alfalfa

Alfalfa is a rich mineral food that has trace minerals such as zinc, iron, and manganese. It also includes vitamin A, vitamin C, as well as other nutrients that are beneficial to cats such as chlorophyll. Even though this is labelled as “sun cured” that is mostly a marketing gimmick.

Flaxseed

Flaxseeds (also called linseeds) are a rich source of micronutrients, dietary fiber, manganese, vitamin B1, and the essential fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid, also known as ALA or omega-3. The seeds come from flax, one of the the oldest fiber crops in the world. It is not only a source of healthy fat, antioxidants, and fiber; modern research has found evidence to suggest that flaxseed can also help lower the risk of diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. The health risk associated with this ingredient is low and in general, flaxseed is considered to be a beneficial ingredient for cats.

The first 5 ingredients suggest that this formula is nutrient rich though the protein source is a bit weak.

Other Ingredients Of Interest

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.

Allergy Risks Associated With By Nature 95% Turkey and Turkey Liver Cat Food

This cat food blend is free from all of the major allergy causing ingredients. Therefor, we believe the allergy risk associated with this cat food blend is very low. However, all cats are different and may suffer from unique food allergies. When in doubt, be sure to consult a professional.

Conclusion

By Nature 95% Turkey and Turkey Liver canned cat food is an average quality cat food. As the manufacturer says, it is best given as a snack to compliment your cat’s normal diet. It is a bit low on meat protein and we think the top ingredient, turkey, should be complimented by another high protein meat source like turkey meal. On the positive side, the food contains no grain and is, therefore, free from most allergy concerns. Judging by the ingredients alone, we think this is a decent quality cat food.

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Blue Wilderness Chicken and Turkey (Dry) Cat Food

June 2, 2015

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These days, there are hundreds of cat food formula manufacturing companies and brands. This has continually made it hard for cat owners to determine which formula or brand is best for their felines. Most cat food Companies promise nutritionally balanced formulas for cats but the ingredients they use do not come close to delivering on the nutritional promise.

Amongst the numerous pet formula brands in the market today is the blue wilderness brand by the blue buffalo pet food company. This company manufactures formulas for cats and dogs. You can find wet and dry pet formulas under this brand. According to the manufacturing company, all blue buffalo branded formulas are made from natural ingredients and do not contain any allergens.

The blue wilderness chicken and turkey (dry) formula is one of the many formulas under the blue buffalo company.This formula is said to contain real chicken and turkey as the main sources of protein. It is also said to contain a blend of other healthy ingredients to promote the health of cats.

Does this pet formula live up to the hype?

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The ingredients

Chicken, Turkey, Whole Ground Potatoes, Vegetable Glycerine, Gelatin, Natural Flavor, Salt, Phosphoric Acid, Sorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Mixed Tocopherols (source of Vitamin E), Rosemary.

An overview of the first five ingredients

Chicken

Turkey

Whole Ground 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.

Vegetable Glycerine

Also known as glycerol, this is an organic compound of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. It is produced industrially, usually as a by-product of soap manufacture, from oils and fats. It can be made from animal fat or, in the case of vegetable glycerin, vegetable oil. This ingredient is widely used in the food industry for two main reasons. Firstly, it has a sweet taste, but has fewer calories than sugar and secondly, it is hygroscopic, that is, it absorbs moisture from the air. It is therefore used both to sweeten foods and to keep them moist.

Gelatin

This ingredient is used as a gelling agent in the food. It is sourced from many different animal by-products, so this is considered a lower quality ingredient. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), with support from the TSE (Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy) Advisory Committee, has since 1997 been monitoring the potential risk of transmitting animal diseases, especially bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as Mad Cow disease. The FDA study concluded: “…steps such as heat, alkaline treatment, and filtration could be effective in reducing the level of contaminating TSE agents; however, scientific evidence is insufficient at this time to demonstrate that these treatments would effectively remove the BSE infectious agent if present in the source material.” You can read more about the FDA study here. Several other agencies and medical groups have expressed concerns as well.

Other ingredients in this formula

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.

Salt

Phosphoric Acid

Phosphoric acid is a clear, colorless, odorless liquid with a syrupy consistency. It is is used as an acidifying agent which helps balance the acidity level of the food. While some cat owners like to stay away from this ingredient due to its acidic nature, the FDA says this is still the safest way to balance acidity levels.

Is this formula likely to cause allergies?

Judging from the ingredients used, this cat food is unlikely to cause allergies. It contains healthy ingredients that nurture the health of your cat. Therefore, this formula is ideal for all cats, even the ones with food allergies.

Harmful ingredients in cat formulas

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.

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.

Cellulose – This ingredient is extracted from wood pulp and cotton cellulose. It seems to be in everything from shampoo to to ice cream and even pet foods. Alternate names for this ingredient includes cellulose sodium glycolate and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. The main reason it is used in this cat food is as a thickening and binding agent. Basically, it helps hold the food together and give it consistency. A cat (or a human, for that matter), is not able to break down cellulose gum, so it simply passes through the digestive tract and cats do not absorb it into their bloodstream. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration states that cellulose gum appears to have no effect on humans or pets.

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

The Blue Wilderness Chicken and Turkey cat formula is an average cat food that has all the required ingredients for your feline to live a happy and healthy life. This formula does not contain any allergens. This makes it ideal for all cats, even the ones that suffer from allergies.

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Blue Kitty Yums Wilderness Chicken and Trout (Dry) Cat Food

June 2, 2015

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As a person who owns felines, you have probably noticed that it is becoming harder for you to find a healthy dry formula for your feline. This is mainly because most dry formulas are made using controversial ingredients mostly known to be of low nutritive values. It is very hard to find a dry formula that offers your kitten the nutrients it requires to develop into a healthy adult cat. To ensure you bring up a healthy kitten, it is important to feed it on formulas that are high in meat based proteins and low on grain ingredients.

The blue kitty yums wilderness chicken and trout dry cat formula is one of the may dry treats for kittens. These treats are said to contain the require meat protein content to awaken the inner carnivore of your kitten. The company that manufacturer’s this formula also says that this cat treat pack has natural and healthy ingredients that support healthy growth and development in kittens.Real chicken and trout are the main sources of protein. It is also said that this formula contains no allergens and is thus safe for young kitty.

Is this the most ideal dry formula for your kitten?

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The ingredients

Chicken, Trout, Whole Ground Potatoes, Vegetable Glycerine, Gelatin, Natural Flavor, Salt, Phosphoric Acid, Sorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Mixed Tocopherols (source of Vitamin E), Rosemary.

An overview of the first five ingredients

Chicken

Trout

Fish ingredients have become much more common in dog food over the years and now, this ingredient has found its way into cat food. While fish is not the typical prey for cats in the wild, they do supply a healthy amount of protein and extremely beneficial fatty acids as well as other nutrients cats can benefit from. Some cat owners worry about the mercury level that naturally occurs in fish, but the FDA continues to state that the mercury levels in fish are safe for both humans and pets. There is also some concern about where this ingredient might be sourced from. If the fish contains ethoxyquin, this is definitely something you would not want to feed to your cat, but we are unable to verify whether this ingredient contains ethoxyquin or not. Also, most of the time, fish used in pet food is the fish that has been deemed unfit for human consumption for whatever reason. Nonetheless, this ingredient does provide a fairly high amount of healthy nutritional benefit.

Whole Ground Potatoes

Vegetable Glycerine

Gelatin

Other ingredients in this cat food

Natural Flavor

Salt

Phosphoric Acid

Is this cat treat formula likely to cause allergies?

This cat treat is ideal for all kittens. It does not contain any allergy causing ingredients. This makes it ideal for your kitten and even kittens with food sensitivities.

Harmful ingredients to look out for

Conclusion

This is an ideal treat for your feline. Even so, it is important to use other formulas as part of your cat’s diet even when it is feeding on this treat. This is because this treat formula lacks some essential ingredients that can be found in pother formulas.

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Blue Kitty Yums Tasty Chicken (Dry) Cat Food

June 2, 2015

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Having a kitten can be very exciting. However, it can also be stressful. This is especially so when it comes to feeding it. Choosing the right formula for your little feline friend is usually an uphill task.

Blue Kitty Yums Tasty Chicken (dry) is a product of the Blue Buffalo Company. The cat feed is made with real chicken and other high quality ingredients that cater for all the nutritional needs of your kitten. The manufacturer claims that the formula has a great taste that will leave your kitten purring for more.

Read o to find out whether this formula is a worthwhile buy.

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Ingredients contained in this cat feed

Chicken, Whole Ground Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Maple Syrup, Vegetable Glycerine, Whole Ground Potato Gelatin, Natural Flavor, Salt, Fish Oil, Brewer’s Yeast, Phosphoric Acid, Sorbic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Taurine, Citric Acid, Mixed Tocopherols (source of Vitamin E), Rosemary

An overview of the first five ingredients

Chicken

Whole ground brown rice

Brown rice and white rice have similar amounts of calories and carbohydrates. The main differences between the two forms of rice lie in processing and nutritional content. When only the outermost layer of a grain of rice (the husk) is removed, brown rice is produced. To produce white rice, the next layers underneath the husk (the bran layer and the germ) are removed, leaving mostly the starchy endosperm. While many cat owners like to stay away from grain based ingredients, rice in general is easy for cats to digest and is not likely to cause allergic reactions. The rice will expand in your cats stomach helping him or her feel more full. So while this ingredient may not be especially nutritious, it does have value in the food and is unlikely to cause major problems. You should still avoid this ingredient if your cat has suffered from grain allergies in the past, but overall, this is a very low-risk ingredient even though it is a grain.

Oat meal

This ingredient will provide some fiber for your cat, but for the most part, it is simply used as a filler to help make your cat feel more full. Many cats seem to enjoy the taste of oatmeal and since there are no major health concerns associated with it, this ingredient makes for a great alternative filler ingredient instead of using corn and grains.

Maple syrup

Maple syrup is syrup produced from the sap of certain maples, especially the sugar maple. Unfortunately, sugar is not good for cats and cats can easily develop diabetes. This ingredient is also not good for oral health and can also lead to weight gain.

Vegetable glycerin

Other ingredients worth looking at

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.

Whole ground potato – 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.

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.

Does this cat formula cause allergies in cats?

The Blue Kitty Yums Tasty Chicken (dry) cat formula does not contain any ingredient that can bring harm to your kitten. You should, however, make a point of going through the ingredients list as there is a possibility that your kitten can react to another ingredient apart from the known allergens.

Ingredients to avoid

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

Blue Kitty Yums Tasty Chicken (dry) is an above average cat feed. It does not contain harmful ingredients that could put the health of your cat at risk. For this reason, Blue Kitty Yums Tasty Chicken (dry) is an ideal cat formula for kittens. The only down side is the lack of moisture. Moisture helps with digestion. Chicken might also not be a sufficient source of protein. This is especially so in dry foods.

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AvoDerm Wild Caught Tuna And Prawns Wet Cat Food Review

June 2, 2015

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The AvoDerm pet food has received a series of mixed reviews from consumers. This is mainly because of the inclusion of Avocado and Avocado oil in the formulas. As a pet owner, it is normal to question the quality of this pet formula brand especially if you’re trying it out for the first time

The AvoDerm pet food is a product of the Breeder’s Choice Pet Foods, which is a branch company of the Central Garden and Pet Company. Breeder’s choice has been manufacturing pet formulas since 1982. The company’s headquarters is in Irwindale, California. Initially, Breeder’s Choice AvoDerm brand products were marketed as products used to treat pet related health complications. However, all this has changed over the years since pet owners now understand that they can feed their pets on AvoDerm products as daily meal formulas.

A popular product under the AvoDerm brand is the wild Caught Tuna and Prawns wet cat food. Made with wild caught oceanic tuna and prawns, this formula offers your adult cat all the necessary nutrition to ensure it continues to thrive. It is made from high quality ingredients for optimum nutrition.

Ingredients in Wild Caught Tuna And Prawns (Wet) Cat Formula

Tuna, Tuna Broth, Prawns, Sunflower Oil, Tricalcium Phosphate, Avocado Oil, Guar Gum, Vitamins & Minerals (Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Oxide, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Manganese Sulfate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfate Complex (Source Of Vitamin K Activity), Riboflavin Supplement, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Potassium Chloride, Natural Beta Carotene (Natural Color)Choline Chloride, Taurine.

Made with rich protein sources, this cat formula contains no grain.

Overview – First five ingredients in the formula

The first five ingredients in any cat or pet formula clearly depict the formula’s nutritional composition. It is, therefore, important to ensure you look through the pack for the first five ingredients.

The first five ingredients in this formula include:

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.

Tuna broth – Like other types of broth in cat food, tuna broth is used as a flavor enhancer and source of moisture. It is considered to be a better ingredient to use than plain water. While not especially nutritious, your cat will probably appreciate the enhanced flavor and there are no known health risks associated with this ingredient.

Prawns – A prawn is a marine crustacean that resembles a large shrimp. Even though prawns are not part of a cats typical diet in the wild, this ingredient is considered to be a pretty healthy addition because it supplies protein and very healthy doses of fatty acids. It also has a high vitamin B12 content and contains fewer calories than many other ingredients normally used it its place. Unless your cat suffers from a unique food allergy, this is a safe ingredient.

Sunflower oil – Tomato pomace is an inexpensive by-product of tomato manufacturing. Effectively, it is what is left over after processing tomatoes for juice, ketchup, soup, etc. In all likelihood, this is the leftovers of what is cleaned off of the floors and other areas of plants that process tomatoes for other purposes. As such, this is probably used more as a flavor enhancer than for nutritional purposes.

Tricalcium phosphate – Titanium dioxide, also known as titanium oxide or titania, is the naturally occurring oxide of titanium. Unfortunately, this ingredient is a bit controversial as it has links to several health concerns including ulcers and inflammatory bowel diseases. There is also some concerns that this ingredient could contain lead. The toxic effect of this ingredient is a concern in both human foods and pet foods and even The American Cancer Society has listed Titanium Dioxide among the five most carcinogenic substances on the planet (more info here). This ingredient is mostly used for coloration and texture purposes. It is impossible for your cat to digest this ingredient or gain any nutritional benefit from it. We find it rather unfortunate this ingredient is included.

Ingredients of interest

Avocado oil – Avocado is a pear-shaped fruit that can sometimes be dangerous to pets if the pit is consumed. Obviously when used in cat food, the pit is removed completely. While avocado is toxic to some animals, in dogs and cats, we do not expect to see serious signs of illness. Cat food manufactures will tell you that avocados are nutrient-dense and high in crude fiber. This fruit also contains vitamins A, C and E as well as vitamin B6. Avocados certainly area nutritious, but since cats are obligate carnivores, the nutritional value will be a bit limited. The good news is there doesn’t appear to be any real harm to including avocado and it may even help make the food more palatable.

Folic acid – This is a vitamin of the B complex, found especially in leafy green vegetables, liver, and kidney. It is vital for red blood cells and for many other cells in the body. There are no known issues concerning this ingredient adversely effecting cats.

Is wild caught tuna and prawns cat food an allergy causing food?

From the ingredients used to create this pet formula, there is no presence of soy, wheat or corn. These three are the most common allergy causing ingredients. They may be present in other cat formulas, and so it is advisable to check before purchase.

Other ingredients to watch out for

By-products – By products are typically the “left overs” of human food production. For example, things that are swept up off the floor, conveyer belts, or products humans typically don’t want in their food such as organ meat. Not all by-products are bad. In fact, certain by-products such as organ meats are extremely nutritious for cats. However, the labeling is concerning because some by-products can legally contains some undesirable ingredients. Meat by-product can even contain what is known as 4D meat – that is, mean derived from animals that were dead, dying, diseased, or deformed prior to slaughter. These 4D meats are not allowed for human consumption, so they are often used in the pet industry instead.

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.

Corn syrup – Unfortunately, corn is a known allergen for many cats and cats do not receive much of any nutritional value at all from corn, even though corn helps to boost the overall protein percentage of the food. Syrup extracts usually aren’t harmful to cats, but they aren’t all that nutritious, either. In fact, many syrup extracts will contain quite a bit of sugar which can lead to weight gain. Since many adult cats have diabetes, it’s probably a safer bet to stay away from syrups.

The three ingredients are not present in the wild caught tuna and prawns wet cat food.

Conclusion

Judging from the ingredients and nutritional value, the wild caught tuna and prawns wet cat formula is a safe cat formula. It is not grain based meaning it causes no allergic reactions. The avocado oil is, however, debatable. Overall, the wild caught tuna and prawns cat food is an average cat food. If your cat is allergic to fish, keep off this formula.

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AvoDerm Wild Caught Swordfish Wet Cat Food Review | Cat Food Comparisons

June 2, 2015

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Cat Food Reviews

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While the AvoDerm cat food brand has been in the market for the longest time now, it has had its fair share of controversy mainly because of the inclusion of avocado in their pet formulas. Most cat owners are indecisive when it comes to feeding their pets on this brand of pet food. This article seeks to shed some light on the Wild caught swordfish AvoDerm pet formula. After reading this review, you will be in a better position to make an informed choice.

The AvoDerm pet food brand is manufactured by the Breeder’s Choice Pet foods, an affiliate company of the Central Garden and Pet Company. This company initially introduced AvoDerm pet products in 1982. At this time, most people were under the impression that AvoDerm products were mainly meant for medical purposes. However, with time, the brand was accepted as a regular pet food. The pet company produces pet foods for cats and dogs.

The Wild caught swordfish cat formula is made with ocean fish (wild caught) meant to give cats a rich blend of nutrients.

Ingredients in Wild Caught Swordfish (Wet) Cat Food

Swordfish, Swordfish Broth, Sunflower Oil, Tricalcium Phosphate, Guar Gum, Taurine, Avocado Oil, Vitamins & Minerals ( Zinc Oxide, Vitamin E Supplement, Manganese Sulfate, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfate Complex (Vitamin K Activity source), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Choline Chloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Potassium Chloride.

It is important to note that the AvoDerm wild caught swordfish is grain free to offer a nutritionally balanced cat meal formula.

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An overview of the first five ingredients in this product

Swordfish – A swordfish is a large edible marine fish with a streamlined body and a long flattened swordlike snout, related to the billfishes and popular as a game fish. We don’t normally see this type of fish used in cat food, but like all other fish products, it will supply a decent amount of protein as well as a high amount of fatty acids. Unfortunately, there is some concern about the mercury level in fish. All fish naturally contains some amount of mercury and while the FDA claims mercury levels are safe, many cat owners believe feeding even a small amount of mercury laced fish every day could cause long-term health effects. While there isn’t much evidence to back that up, there is evidence that swordfish contains a higher amount of mercury than many other types of fish.

Swordfish broth – Like other types of broth in cat food, swordfish broth is used as a flavor enhancer and source of moisture. It is considered to be a better ingredient to use than plain water. While not especially nutritious, your cat will probably appreciate the enhanced flavor and there are no known health risks associated with this ingredient.

Tricalcium phosphate – Dicalcium phosphate is a compound that is present in bone. It is a calcium salt. Usually, when people break their bones, the need to enrich themselves with this compound in order to help bone regeneration. For cat food, it is mostly used as a part of the processing of the food. While this ingredient sounds scary and doesn’t provide any nutrition for cats, it is considered safe and is usually included in very low levels.

Other ingredients of interest

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.

Is wild caught swordfish an allergy causing formula?

Since the wild caught swordfish is grain free and does not contain the most common allergens, it is safe to say that this pet product is allergy free. The ingredients are all natural to cater for your cat’s nutritional needs.

Ingredients to be wary of

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.

BHA and BHT preservatives – 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.

None of the above mentioned ingredients is present in wild caught swordfish cat formula.

Conclusion

This cat food formula is fit for consumption by cats. The client reviews are fairly positive. This is mainly because it is a grain free product therefore causing no digestive or allergic problems in cats. Wild caught swordfish is a well balanced formula.

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