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Cat food is not highly regulated so you cannot always trust the label claims.

The only way you can ensure that you are feeding your cat a high-quality, natural cat food is to read the ingredients panel.

However, with all the complex ingredients and nutrient ratings, it can be really confusing trying to understand what the ingredients list actually means for the quality of the food. So the first step in buying any cat food is to learn how to read the ingredients list. Here is our simple guide on how to both read and understand the ingredients list. Read More

Most cat owners are not veterinary nutritionists, so we don’t really know that much about cat nutrition. We usually just trust that if we buy a top rated cat food and feed them the occasional treat, that all of their nutritional needs will be met. However it’s good to know the basics of cat nutrition so you can make smart decision about your cat’s health.

So here is a rundown of everything you need to know about cat nutrition. Read More

Our cats are everything to us, so we want to make sure they are always eating a healthy diet so they can live long and happy lives. Throughout the course of their lives you may have to switch their foods to make sure they are getting the best nutrition. There are natural transitions like from kitten food to adult food and adult food to senior food. Other times you may need to make the switch because you have found a higher quality, more nutritious cat food. You also made need to switch their food because they have developed an illness or allergy. These transitions can be a difficult change for your cat, so it’s important that you know how to make the switch without complications. Here is our guide to changing your cat’s food from one type to another. Read More

As pet parents are becoming more aware of some of the dangerous ingredients found in commercial cat food, they are looking for healthier options to feed their beloved companion animals. One of the more popular options is a raw food diet for cats. Raw foods diets are a great way to ensure you know exactly what is in your cat’s food. However, though they are a great alternative to consider, there are some risks associated with raw foods diets. So it’s important to understand the dangers before switching your cat to a raw diet. Read More

Persian Cats are a popular and adorable breed of cat. Their beautiful long fur and calm temperaments make them an ideal breed for any cat owner. These wonderful cats have some unique nutritional requirements so it is important that you feed them just the right cat food. Here is a rundown of the unique needs of Persian Cats and our recommendations for the best cat foods to feed your Persian Cat. Read More

In our 9Lives Daily Essentials Cat Food review, we will examine all of the ingredients used to make this cat food blend to determine the quality. While 9Lives Cat Food isn’t usually considered the highest quality cat food brand, most of the larger cat food manufactures produce a wide range of foods for all types of cats and human customers. The only way to determine if 9Lives Daily Essentials Cat Food is of higher quality is to look at the list of ingredients and understand what those ingredients mean.

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List Of Ingredients In 9Lives Daily Essentials Cat Food

Whole Ground Corn, Chicken By-product Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Soybean Meal, Whole Wheat, Beef Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Meat and Bone Meal, Animal Digest, Salmon Meal, Salt, Phosphoric Acid, Choline Chloride, Titanium Dioxide (Color), Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement), Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Manganous Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, BHA (Used as a Preservative), Blue 1, Blue 2, Rosemary Extract.

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Analysis Of The Top 5 Ingredients

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.

Whole Ground 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.

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.

Corn Gluten Meal - This is the dried residue from corn after the removal of the larger part of the starch and germ, and the separation of the bran by the process employed in the wet milling manufacture of corn starch or syrup, or by enzymatic treatment of the endosperm. The expression "corn gluten" is colloquial jargon that describes corn proteins that are neither gliadin nor glutenin. Only wheat, barley, rye and oat contain true gluten. For the most part, this ingredient is normally only found in cheaper "grocery store brand" cat foods. Corn is frequently used as a filler ingredient to help make your cat feel more full, but it does not add much of anything to the nutritional value in the food. In addition, this is a common allergen for many cats and corn based ingredients can often be difficult for cats to digest. That's why we can't recommend this food for cats with food allergies or sensitive digestive systems.

Soybean Meal -This ingredient is created after grinding the soybean to extract soybean oil. In addition to being used in dog and cat food, it is widely used as a filler and source of protein in other animal diets including pig, chicken, cattle, horse, sheep, and fish feed. This ingredient can often be found in "hairball relief" cat foods as it is believed to help eliminate hairballs. While some cats are allergic to soy based ingredients, the pet food industry is pretty defensive of this ingredient claiming that despite the attempts of researchers to prove a link between soy and bloat, no studies to date show this link. Rather, breed, body type, weight and stress level are significant risk factors. The pet food industry also claims that soy products are a superb source of bodybuilding protein, coat-nourishing vegetable oil and healthful fiber for cats. As long as your cat isn't allergic to soy based ingredients, this ingredient shouldn't pose any problems, but it isn't included without controversy.

Whole 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.

Additional Ingredients Of Interest

While the top 5 ingredients make up about 90% of the nutritional value in this food, let’s examine some of the additional ingredients used to determine their quality.

Beef Fat - Since cats are carnivores, this is an excellent source of meat protein. This is also a "named meat source" which means it isn't just listed as fat or animal fat. We know the fat comes from beef. Overall, we're happy to see this ingredient included.

Meat And Bone Meal - Meat and bone meal is the dried and rendered product from mammal tissues. It does not contain horn, hair, hide trimmings, manure, stomach contents, added blood meal or poultry by-product. The calcium content should not be more than 2.2 times the phosphorus content. While this ingredient probably provides a high amount of animal based proteins, it is generally considered to be a very low form of animal proteins. With such generic labeling, we are unable to tell where the meat and bones are coming from. It could be coming from almost any animal. As with other unnamed meat sources, we remain very skeptical about this ingredient.

Animal Digest - Animal digest is a common ingredient used in pet foods. As defined by the Association of American Feed Control Officials, digest is produced by the chemical or enzymatic hydrolysis of clean animal tissue that has not undergone decomposition. This is considered a very low quality ingredient. Another way this ingredient can be explained is that it is a cooked-down broth which can be made from unspecified parts of unspecified animals. Not exactly a comforting thought. To be fair, pet food companies like Purina say, "Animal digest provides protein and flavor. Animal digest is extremely palatable and is an excellent source of high-quality protein. It's often used in small amounts to enhance the taste of dry pet foods. Spraying animal digest on kibble or mixing it with the food significantly increases palatability." You decide.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Titanium Dioxide - 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.

Thiamine Mononitrate - Thiamine mononitrate is a stable nitrate salt form of thiamine (vitamin B1). This ingredient us usually added as a supplement in dog and cat foods. Thiamine is a required nutrient for cats but most thiamine is lost during the cooking process and that is why you see it added as a supplement here. If you have a cat with pre-existing kidney problems, you should avoid this ingredient. Otherwise it is considered to be relatively safe and thiamine mononitrate is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) per the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Riboflavin Supplement - Riboflavin is found in various foods, including milk and dairy products, fish, meats, green leafy vegetables, and whole grain and enriched cereals and bread. It is a source of Vitamin B2. Due to the cooking process, most cat foods do not include enough vitamins and minerals. In order to meet AFFCO standards, most cat food will contain supplemental vitamins or minerals, such as is the case with this ingredient. We are not aware of any major medical issues related to this ingredient and in fact, a lack of vitamin B can be very serious for your cat.

Extremely Problematic Ingredients

Unfortunately, this cat food contains some extremely problematic ingredients. For instance, this food contains food coloring including Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, and Blue 2. This is very unfortunate. Not only is food coloring useless as far as feline nutrition is concerned, but there are some loose connections with food coloring causing cancer in cats. The only reason ingredients like food coloring are included is for marketing purposes.

Our Overall Opinion Of 9Lives Daily Essentials Cat Food

We believe this cat food is a significantly below average quality cat food blend and we do not recommend this product. Not only does this cat food include controversial ingredients such as food coloring, but the #1 ingredient in this food is whole ground corn. While whole ground corn will increase the protein percentage of the food, we would like to see a high quality animal based protein source instead. A high amount of corn is also a very large cause of allergies and digestive problems in cats. The only meat based protein in the top 5 ingredients is a meat byproduct which can contain meat from animals that were dead, dying, diseased, or deformed prior to processing. This meat is not approved for human consumption, so these animals are often processed for pet food.

All in all, we think there are much better options available.

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The Honest Kitchen Grain Free Chicken Cat Food is one of the more popular Honest Kitchen cat food blends. In this The Honest Kitchen grain free chicken cat food review, we will explore the ingredients used in this food to determine its quality. While most cat food blends offer both good and poor quality cat food, only by looking at each ingredient and in each blend they offer can we be sure of its quality.

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Ingredients In The Honest Kitchen Grain Free Chicken Cat Food

All ingredients dehydrated: Chicken, eggs, potatoes, sweet potatoes, organic flaxseed, pumpkin, spinach, cranberries, tricalcium phosphate, choline chloride, zinc amino acid chelate, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, potassium iodide, potassium chloride, iron amino acid chelate, copper amino acid chelate, thiamine mononitrate.

Analysis Of The Top 5 Ingredients

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.

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. In dry cat foods, whole chicken loses about 80% of its content during the cooking process. This is because chicken consists of about 80% moisture. After the cooking process is complete, the amount of whole chicken remaining is substantially reduced. However, in wet cat foods the cooking process is a bit different so this is much less of a concern.

Eggs - 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.

Potatoes - Potatoes provide a lot of carbs and unfortunately, cats do not digest carbs well and it can also lead to weight gain. Potato based ingredients are 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. In this case, since it is in the form of flour, it is probably used to aid in the cooking process. 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.

Sweet Potatoes - 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.

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.

Additional Ingredients Of Interest

While the first 5 ingredients make up the vast majority of the food, it’s always a good idea to take a look at the remaining ingredients and have a good understanding of their quality. Here are some of the remaining ingredients in The Honest Kitchen Grain Free Chicken Cat Food:

Pumpkin - While this ingredient will not provide much nutrition to your cat, pumpkin is quite tasty to cats and seems to aid in healthy digestion. Pumpkin is often a natural remedy that dog and cat owners use to help ease stomach or digestion discomfort. This is also a filler ingredient to help make your cat feel more full after a meal. Unlike many other filler ingredients, there are very few allergy or health risks associated with this ingredient.

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.

Cranberries - Cranberries are high in vitamin C, vitamin E, and fiber. This ingredient may assist with urinary tract infections and help with dental hygiene by killing certain bacteria. While cats are obligate carnivores, wild cats do consume a small amount of fruits and vegetables. Ingredients like cranberries will not provide a large amount of nutrition, but do supply some vitamins, help make the food taste better, and act as an easily digestible filler.

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.

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.

Zinc Amino Acid - This ingredient is a better source of zinc and is essential to insulin formation and immune function. There is very little danger with this ingredient and, in general, it is considered to be a healthy ingredient.

Vitamin D3 Supplement - Vitamin D3 supplement is added to some cat food as a means to increase the vitamin D3 levels if the natural ingredients do not provide enough. Vitamin D3 is important for cats, but too much can also make cats sick. For the most part, this is a safe ingredient.

Vitamin E Supplement - Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that scavenges the body's free radicals. Free radicals are thought to contribute to aging and contribute to a number of health problems. That's why vitamin E is an important tool in the battle against aging, heart disease and cancer. When a cat food does not naturally contain sufficient levels of vitamin E, the manufacture will add in additional vitamin E as a supplement. It is crucial for cats to receive an adequate amount of vitamin E so this supplement is pretty commonly found in cat food products.

Potassium Iodide - Potassium iodide is an inorganic compound that creates a white salt. Humans commonly acquire dietary iodine in foods, especially in the dairy and seafood industries. It is a standard source of potassium and balances acid/alkaline levels. While not an especially nutritious ingredient, it isn't likely to pose any short or long term health issues, either.

Additional Nutritional Information

Calories per cup: 576
Protein: 39%
Carbohydrates: 19.02%

See the full nutrient profile here.

Overall Quality Of The Honest Kitchen Grain Free Chicken Cat Food

After looking at the ingredients in The Honest Kitchen Grain Free Chicken Cat Food, this appears to be an average quality cat food blend. While it’s true that this is a grain free cat food, most of the grains are replaced with tomatoes which are also filler ingredients for the most part. The main protein sources in this food are chicken and eggs. These are quality protein sources, but we would like to see one additional meat based protein source in the food. We don’t see any ingredients that are alarming and your cat would probably do quite well on this food, but we think it is about average quality.

The Honest Kitchen is a relatively popular cat food amongst cat owners. Of course, most cat food brands have high quality food as well as lower quality food. With our The Honest Kitchen Grain Free Turkey Cat Food review, we will first examine the top 5 ingredients, then we will dig deeper in to the ingredients list to be certain this is a high quality cat food.

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Ingredients In The Honest Kitchen Grain Free Turkey Cat Food

All ingredients dehydrated: Turkey, eggs, pumpkin, potatoes, parsley, chard, cranberries, tricalcium phosphate, choline chloride, zinc amino acid chelate, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, potassium iodide, potassium chloride, iron amino acid chelate, copper amino acid chelate, thiamine mononitrate.

Analysis Of The Top 5 Ingredients

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.

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.

Eggs - 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.

Pumpkin - While this ingredient will not provide much nutrition to your cat, pumpkin is quite tasty to cats and seems to aid in healthy digestion. Pumpkin is often a natural remedy that dog and cat owners use to help ease stomach or digestion discomfort. This is also a filler ingredient to help make your cat feel more full after a meal. Unlike many other filler ingredients, there are very few allergy or health risks associated with this ingredient.

Potatoes - Potatoes provide a lot of carbs and unfortunately, cats do not digest carbs well and it can also lead to weight gain. Potato based ingredients are 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. In this case, since it is in the form of flour, it is probably used to aid in the cooking process. 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.

Parsley - This ingredient is an abundant source of natural vitamins. It also provides iron, copper, potassium, calcium, fiber, and several other nutrients. While it isn't going to make up a large portion of the nutritional content in this food, it is a much better ingredient than many other "fillers" that pet food companies use like corn and other grains. The allergy risk associated with this ingredient is very low and even though this is a plant based ingredient, cats seem to digest it easily.

Additional Ingredients Of Interest

The top 5 ingredients make up the vast majority of the nutritional value of most cat foods, but we like to dig deeper. Your cat will likely be on the same diet for years and possibly a lifetime, so it is important to examine ingredients that are lower on the list as well.

Chard - Chard is a leafy green vegetable similar to lettuce. The leaves can be included in pet food to help create a balance diet and also serve as a filler. There isn't much nutritional value in chard, but this ingredient is not likely to cause any issues unless your cat has a very specific allergy.

Cranberries - Cranberries are high in vitamin C, vitamin E, and fiber. This ingredient may assist with urinary tract infections and help with dental hygiene by killing certain bacteria. While cats are obligate carnivores, wild cats do consume a small amount of fruits and vegetables. Ingredients like cranberries will not provide a large amount of nutrition, but do supply some vitamins, help make the food taste better, and act as an easily digestible filler.

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.

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.

Zinc Amino Acid - This ingredient is a better source of zinc and is essential to insulin formation and immune function. There is very little danger with this ingredient and, in general, it is considered to be a healthy ingredient.

Vitamin D3 Supplement - Vitamin D3 supplement is added to some cat food as a means to increase the vitamin D3 levels if the natural ingredients do not provide enough. Vitamin D3 is important for cats, but too much can also make cats sick. For the most part, this is a safe ingredient.

Vitamin E Supplement - Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that scavenges the body's free radicals. Free radicals are thought to contribute to aging and contribute to a number of health problems. That's why vitamin E is an important tool in the battle against aging, heart disease and cancer. When a cat food does not naturally contain sufficient levels of vitamin E, the manufacture will add in additional vitamin E as a supplement. It is crucial for cats to receive an adequate amount of vitamin E so this supplement is pretty commonly found in cat food products.

Potassium Iodide - Potassium iodide is an inorganic compound that creates a white salt. Humans commonly acquire dietary iodine in foods, especially in the dairy and seafood industries. It is a standard source of potassium and balances acid/alkaline levels. While not an especially nutritious ingredient, it isn't likely to pose any short or long term health issues, either.

Iron Sulfate - As you might expect, this ingredient is a source of iron. A lack of iron can cause anemia and make a cat very lethargic. When a cat food does not contain enough iron naturally, it may be included as a supplement in the food. There has not been any widespread health hazards related to this ingredient.

Thiamine Mononitrate - Thiamine mononitrate is a stable nitrate salt form of thiamine (vitamin B1). This ingredient us usually added as a supplement in dog and cat foods. Thiamine is a required nutrient for cats but most thiamine is lost during the cooking process and that is why you see it added as a supplement here. If you have a cat with pre-existing kidney problems, you should avoid this ingredient. Otherwise it is considered to be relatively safe and thiamine mononitrate is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) per the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Guaranteed Analysis for The Honest Kitchen Grain Free Turkey Cat Food

Here is the Guaranteed Analysis for The Honest Kitchen Grain Free Turkey Cat Food.

Our Overall Opinion Of This Cat Food Blend

We would consider The Honest Kitchen Grain Free Turkey cat food to be a slightly above average cat food. Based on the ingredients alone, we like that the top 5 ingredients includes a high quality meat source, but whole turkey contains about 80% moisture before cooking. That means, after the cooking process, Turkey will not be the top ingredient. Since the remaining top 5 ingredients do not include meat sources, we feel this cat food does not contain enough meat in the top 5 ingredients. With that said, the inclusion of eggs as the #2 ingredient does help to give this food some added protein to make up for the lack of meat. This would likely be a pretty good choice of cat food, but we also recommend comparing this food to other options with a higher meat content in the top 5 ingredients.

In this Iams Proactive Health Adult Original with Chicken Cat Food review, we will analyze each of the ingredients in this food to see if this is actually a high quality cat food. Iams has a long line of cat food blends, some of which are higher quality and some of which are lower quality. Let’s take a look at their Iams Proactive Health Adult Original with Chicken Cat Food blend.

Ingredients In Iams Proactive Health Adult Original With Chicken Cat Food

Chicken, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn Meal, Brewers Rice, Dried Beet Pulp, Natural Flavor, Poultry By-Product Meal, Dried Egg Product, Brewers Dried Yeast, Sodium Bisulfate, Fructooligosaccharides, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Fish Oil (preserved with mixed Tocopherols, a source of Vitamin E), DL-Methionine, Calcium Carbonate, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, 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), Taurine, Minerals (Zinc Oxide, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Cobalt Carbonate), Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed Tocopherols, a source of Vitamin E), L-Carnitine, Rosemary Extract.

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Analysis Of The Top 5 Ingredients

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.

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. In dry cat foods, whole chicken loses about 80% of its content during the cooking process. This is because chicken consists of about 80% moisture. After the cooking process is complete, the amount of whole chicken remaining is substantially reduced. However, in wet cat foods the cooking process is a bit different so this is much less of a concern.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Additional Ingredients Of Interest

While the top 5 ingredients make up approximately 90% of the nutritional quality of the foods, let’s dive a bit deeper to find out the quality of some of the remaining ingredients.

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.

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.

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.

Brewers Dried Yeast - Brewers dried yeast is made from a single- celled fungus, called Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It is a very rich source of B vitamins and supplies minerals and amino acids. It is known to support a normal healthy coat. This is also an old remedy for flea and tick protection. This ingredient is generally a by-product of alcohol production and there are no major health risks associated with this ingredient.

Sodium Bisulfate -This ingredient is a dry acid in crystal, granular, or powder form that is used as a pH adjuster. This is not a very nutritious ingredient for cat food. While it is probably fine in lower quantities, in higher quantities this can cause skin irritation and diarrhea.

Research has shown that supplementation of fructooligosaccharides in the diet plays an important role in managing Colitis.

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.

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.

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.

Methionine - Methionine is one of the 10-plus essential amino acids that are required by both cats and dogs. For diets that contain minimal amounts of meat proteins and are heavily weighted to vegetable proteins like soy or are low calorie foods diluted with inert ingredients such as cereals and cellulose, there may be a need for supplemental methionine. Read more on this page.

Calcium Carbonate - Calcium carbonate is a dietary supplement used when the amount of calcium taken in the diet is not enough. Calcium is needed for healthy bones, muscles, nervous system, and heart. Since many cat foods do not contain enough calcium in the food naturally, it is often added as a supplemental inclusion as seen in this food.

Vitamins - Only two vitamins (A and C) and two minerals (calcium and iron) are required on the food label. Food companies can voluntarily list other vitamins and minerals in the food. When vitamins or minerals are added to the food, or when a vitamin or mineral claim is made, those nutrients must be listed on the nutrition label. So while we don't know exactly what vitamins are being included here, it is unlikely that this ingredient contains anything of lower quality.

Riboflavin Supplement - Riboflavin is found in various foods, including milk and dairy products, fish, meats, green leafy vegetables, and whole grain and enriched cereals and bread. It is a source of Vitamin B2. Due to the cooking process, most cat foods do not include enough vitamins and minerals. In order to meet AFFCO standards, most cat food will contain supplemental vitamins or minerals, such as is the case with this ingredient. We are not aware of any major medical issues related to this ingredient and in fact, a lack of vitamin B can be very serious for your cat.

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.

Minerals - Only two vitamins (A and C) and two minerals (calcium and iron) are required on the food label. Cat food companies can voluntarily list other vitamins and minerals in the food. So, in this case, they have simply listed "minerals" but we're not exactly sure what is included here. This ingredient is very unlikely to cause harm to your cat, but it would be nice if they would voluntarily list the minerals being used here.

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.

L Carnitine - This ingredient is very common in pet foods. It is an important nutrient that acts as a transport for fatty acids and assists in the cellular production of energy. A deficiency of L-Carnitine can lead to a large magnitude of health problems. This ingredient is especially used in dog and cat formulas designed for overweight pets as there is strong evidence to suggest it helps with weight loss.

Rosemary Extract - This ingredient is normally listed pretty low on the ingredients list, but is very common in pet foods, especially with higher end and "natural" pet foods. This ingredient has been mostly used as a taste enhancer and natural preservative. Recently, there have been some growing concerns that this ingredient may increase the risk of seizures in cats, but so far there is no conclusive evidence to substantiate these claims.

Feeding Guidelines For Iams Proactive Health Adult Original With Chicken

Weight of Cat (lbs.)……….Feed Daily

4 lbs………. 1/4 – 1/3 cups
8 lbs………. 1/2 – 2/3 cups
12 lbs………. 3/4 – 1 cups
16 lbs………. 1 – 1 1/3 cups
22 lbs………. 1 1/3 – 1 3/4 cups

Guaranteed Analysis For Iams Proactive Health Adult Original With Chicken

Crude Protein, minimum……….32.00%
Crude Fat, minimum……….15.00%
Crude Fiber, maximum……….3.00%
Moisture, maximum……….10.00%
Ash, maximum……….7.00%
Magnesium, maximum……….0.10%
Calcium, minimum……….0.75%
Phosphorus, minimum……….0.65%
Phosphorus, maximum……….1.20%
Taurine, minimum……….0.15%
L-Carnitine, minimum……….80 mg/kg*
Omega-6 Fatty Acids, minimum……….2.06%*
Omega-3 Fatty Acids, minimum……….0.21%*
Minerals, average……….6.81%
Minerals, minimum……….5.40%
Minerals, maximum……….8.20%
Calcium, average……….0.97%
Calcium, maximum……….1.35%
Phosphorus, average……….0.84%
Metabolizable Energy……….3,693 kcal/kg
Crude Protein……….32.80%
Crude Oil……….15.50%
Crude Ash……….6.80%
Crude Fiber……….1.80%
Moisture……….8.00%
Calcium……….1.00%
Phosphorus P……….0.90%

* Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles

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Our Overall Opinion Of Iams Proactive Health Adult Original With Chicken Cat Food

As far as big box grocery store cat food is concerned, this isn’t a terrible food to feed to your cat. However, compared to the many options you have available and based on the ingredients overview, we believe this is about an average quality cat food. While there are some good ingredients included, we also see the presence of some lower quality ingredients as well. While your cat would likely live a healthy life on this food, we recommend looking at some possible alternatives.

In this EVO 95% Chicken & Turkey canned cat food review we will analyze each of the top 5 ingredients and review any other ingredients that might be of interest. If you would like to check out all of our other EVO cat food reviews, you can do so here. You can also check out all of our cat food reviews here.

Ingredients In EVO 95% Chicken & Turkey Canned Cat Food

Chicken, Water Sufficient For Processing, Turkey, Chicken Liver, Fish Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Flavor, Guar Gum, Potassium Chloride, Cassia Gum, Xanthan Gum, Minerals (Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite, Potassium Iodide), Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid), Salt, Taurine L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source Of Vitamin C), Choline Chloride, Sodium Phosphate, Beta Carotene.

Analysis Of The Top 5 Ingredients

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.

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. In dry cat foods, whole chicken loses about 80% of its content during the cooking process. This is because chicken consists of about 80% moisture. After the cooking process is complete, the amount of whole chicken remaining is substantially reduced. However, in wet cat foods the cooking process is a bit different so this is much less of a concern.

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.

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.

Chicken Livers - 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.

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.

Additional Ingredients Of Interest

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.

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.

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.

Cassia Gum - Cassia gum is a food additive made from the endosperm of Senna obtusifolia (also called Cassia obtusifolia or Cassia tora). It is used as a thickener and gelling agent. This is generally considered an ingredient to avoid in cat food because it is a complex sugar which isn't thought to be good for cats. There have also been biological studies done on cassia gum's effects on cats, dogs, and rats in the 1980's. In this FDA study, kittens that were administered a high dose (2.5% of daily nutrition) and kittens that were administered a moderate dose(0.75% of daily nutrition) of cassia gum per day all died after 2-3 weeks. Their mothers and fathers were given cassia gum before and throughout the pregnancy period. There was also a decrease in appetite and changes in digestive processing due to the fact that cassia gum absorbs much of the moisture inside the digestive tract. Another interesting thing is that in the group where higher dosage was administered there were a lot more still born births and neonatal deaths. It could be argued that the only reason these cats had problems was because of the high dosage and we believe this is a valid argument. So while we can't say for sure that this ingredient is dangerous, you should use some caution. The official FDA study is getting pretty outdated, but you can still read the full study here.

Xanthan Gum - This is a substance produced by bacterial fermentation or created synthetically and is used in cat foods as a gelling agent and thickener. It is composed of glucose, mannose, and glucuronic acid. It is what causes the black rot on veggies that have been in the fridge too long. Once the bacteria has fermented, it is pasteurized (killed) and filtered. The resulting xanthan gum is then treated with isopropyl alcohol, dried, ground, and diluted to desired consistency. The finished product is a loose, whitish-colored powder. The behavior of xanthan gum makes it ideal for food processing purposes and is used in human food frequently. Nutritionally speaking, it is a carbohydrate with about seven grams of fiber per tablespoon. Xanthan gum is made using carbohydrates from corn, wheat, dairy, or soy which are all common food allergens for many cats.

Minerals - Only two vitamins (A and C) and two minerals (calcium and iron) are required on the food label. Cat food companies can voluntarily list other vitamins and minerals in the food. So, in this case, they have simply listed "minerals" but we're not exactly sure what is included here. This ingredient is very unlikely to cause harm to your cat, but it would be nice if they would voluntarily list the minerals being used here.

Vitamins - Only two vitamins (A and C) and two minerals (calcium and iron) are required on the food label. Food companies can voluntarily list other vitamins and minerals in the food. When vitamins or minerals are added to the food, or when a vitamin or mineral claim is made, those nutrients must be listed on the nutrition label. So while we don't know exactly what vitamins are being included here, it is unlikely that this ingredient contains anything of lower quality.

Riboflavin Supplement - Riboflavin is found in various foods, including milk and dairy products, fish, meats, green leafy vegetables, and whole grain and enriched cereals and bread. It is a source of Vitamin B2. Due to the cooking process, most cat foods do not include enough vitamins and minerals. In order to meet AFFCO standards, most cat food will contain supplemental vitamins or minerals, such as is the case with this ingredient. We are not aware of any major medical issues related to this ingredient and in fact, a lack of vitamin B can be very serious for your cat.

Vitamin A Supplement - Vitamin supplements are normally added to cat food when the mixture does not contain enough of certain vitamins naturally. Vitamin A can be found in many fruits, vegetables, eggs, whole milk, butter, fortified margarine, meat, and oily saltwater fish. It can also be made in a laboratory, which is usually the case for pet foods. A deficiency in vitamin A can cause very serious health problems for cats, so you will see lots of cat food supplement their foods with vitamins, including vitamin A. There is little to no risk associated with this ingredient and while we'd prefer to see enough vitamins and minerals included naturally, supplemental vitamins do have positive benefits to maintaining a proper vitamin balance in your cat.

Biotin - Biotin, also known as vitamin H or coenzyme R, is a water soluble B vitamin. It is usually found in egg yolk, liver, and yeast. In addition to converting food into energy, biotin also helps the body get rid of by-products from protein. As carnivores, a cat's diet is high in protein, and they need sufficient biotin to process and excrete it. Biotin also helps the body use other B-complex vitamins and maintains healthy skin, coat and claws. When cats do not receive enough biotin in their diet, the most noticeable issue they have is unhealthy and often times itchy skin. If you want to learn more about biotin in cats, here is an excellent article with more detail.

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.

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.

Sodium Phosphite - Sodium phosphate is a generic term for a variety of salts. 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.

Guaranteed Analysis

Guaranteed Analysis describes the nutrient content required by AAFCO labeling standards to be identified on every product package. Since these are guarantees, pet food manufacturers work to formulate diets that meet or exceed the minimum requirements.

Crude Protein (Min) 8.5 %
Crude Fat (Min) 6.0 %
Crude Fiber (Max) 1.0 %
Moisture (Max) 81.0 %
Vitamin E (Min) 100.0 IU/kg

Calorie Content
1332.0 kcal/kg
208.0 kcals per 5.5oz can