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By Nature Organic Chicken and Chicken Liver Wet Cat Food Review

June 2, 2015

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Do you want the best for your feline friend? As a cat owner, it is natural to want the very best cat food for your cat. If you are willing to go the extra mile for your cat’s health, this review is for you. Organic cat formulas are becoming quite popular in the cat food industry. They are usually healthy and more nutritious that normal formulas, but do carry a bit of a price tag as well.

By Nature is one of the pet food manufacturing companies that offer a chain of organic cat food formulas. The By Nature Organic Chicken & Chicken Liver wet cat food formula is one of the organic formulas they produce. The company claims that this formula provides your cat with all its nutritional needs to keep it healthy and strong.

So, is this organic food really healthier than other cat foods, or is this just a marketing gimmick? Let’s analyze the ingredients and find out!

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By Nature Organic Chicken & Chicken Liver

Organic Chicken, Organic Chicken Livers, Water, Organic Pea Flour, Organic Guar Gum, Dicalcium Phosphate, Organic Locust Bean Gum, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Taurine, Calcium Carbonate, Vitamin E Supplement, Choline Chloride, Zinc Proteinate (Chelated Source of Zinc), Manganese Proteinate (Chelated Source of Manganese), Copper Proteinate (Chelated Source of Copper), Sodium Selenite, Vitamin A Acetate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide, Biotin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Menadione Dimethylpyrimidinol Bisulfite, Folic Acid.

Note that all ingredients in this formula have been blended under strict AAFCO organic pet formula requirements.

Top 5 Ingredients Analysis

When examining cat food, you should always pay the most attention to the top 5 ingredients in the food. The top 5 ingredients make up the vast majority of the nutritional content of cat food.

Organic 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.

Organic 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.

Water

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

Organic Pea Flour

Peas are becoming more and more common in pet foods today, especially those listed as grain-free, holistic, or natural pet foods. While peas are certainly not grains, they serve much the same purpose. It mostly acts as a filler and a cheap way to increase the protein percentage of the food. However, cats receive almost no nutritional value from peas. Since cats are obligate carnivores, they require proteins from meat based ingredients. There is very little research that has been performed on the long term effects of cats consuming peas. We do know that peas can cause runny poop or digestion issues in dogs, but the full effect on cats remains a bit of an unknown. Since the peas in this case are added as a flour, the ingredient is probably added to help with the consistency of the food and the cooking process.

Organic 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.

Additional Ingredients Of Interest In By Nature Organic Chicken & Liver Cat Food

Dicalcium Phosphate

Dicalcium phosphate (DCP) is a dibasic calcium phosphate formed by a reactive combination of calcium oxide and phosphoric acid. As a dietary supplement, it is commonly used as a source of calcium and phosphorus for both humans and animals. This ingredient is also frequently used as a firming agent and binder to help give the food more structure. While not an especially nutritious ingredient, the risk of adverse health effects due to cats consuming this ingredient appears to be very low.

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.

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.

Allergy Risks Associated With By Nature Organic Chicken & Liver Cat Food

The By Nature Organic Chicken & Chicken Liver wet cat food contains no soy, wheat, or corn. This is excellent news because those are the main allergy causing ingredients commonly found in cat food. Some cats may have some issues digesting the pea flour in this food, but that should only occur in a small number of cats. Overall, we believe the allergy risk with this food is pretty low.

Poor Quality Ingredients Commonly Found In Cat Food

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.

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.

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

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

Fortunately, none of these harmful ingredients are included in the By Nature Organic Chicken & Chicken Liver Cat Food formula.

Conclusion

The By Nature organic chicken & chicken liver wet cat formula is a well balanced cat food formula with a great list of ingredients. It will be especially attractive to cat owners who want their cats food to come from organic sources. While organic food is not 100% safe, in general, they are considered a much healthier option. Unfortunately, the price reflects the higher quality ingredients and this food may be out of the price range of many cat owners. Judging by the ingredients alone, we believe this is an above average cat food.

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By Nature Duck Stew Wet Cat Food Review

June 2, 2015

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The By Nature pet food brand is one among the many other brands under the Blue Seal Feeds Company. This company manufactures food for several different types of animals including dogs and cats. Initially, when it was founded in the late 1800’s, it was solely a horse feed manufacturing company. Today, the company operates nine manufacturing plants with the By Nature brand being manufactured at one of the plants situated in Londonderry, New Hampshire.

One pet formula under the By Nature brand is the By Nature Duck Stew Wet Cat Food formula. According to the manufacturer, this is formula contains the nutrition necessary for your cat to thrive. As a grain free product, the By Nature Duck Stew Wet formula contains natural sources of protein, carbohydrates and vitamins. The absence of grains in the meal also ensures that the formula does not cause gastrointestinal issues.

With all the hype about this product, is it really the best food for your cat? Let’s take a closer look and find out.

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Ingredients in By Nature Duck Stew Cat Food

Duck, Duck Broth, Vegetable Broth, Turkey Liver, Egg, Carrots, Natural Flavor, Sweet Potato, Pea Flour, Spinach, Potato Starch, Guar Gum, Flaxseed, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Squash, Alfalfa Meal, Salt, Cranberries, Calcium Carbonate, Thyme, Rosemary, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Niacin Supplement (Vitamin B3), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), d-Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Vitamin E Supplement, Biotin (Vitamin B7), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D2 Supplement, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9).

All ingredients used to manufacture this cat food have been blended to meet the AAFCO nutritional requirements for cat foods.

Top 5 Ingredients Analysis

It is always ideal to check the composition of the first five ingredients in any pet formula. These ingredients make up most of the nutritional percentage in the formula. We will now analyze the top 5 ingredients in this blend.

Duck – Duck is an excellent alternative meat source and provides very high quality meat proteins for your cat. As a whole meat product, much of this ingredient is lost during the cooking process, but it is less water heavy than other whole meat ingredients like chicken or beef. So, while much of this ingredient is lost during the cooking process, it is still a very high quality ingredient and we are quite pleased to see it listed here.

Duck broth – Broth is used to add flavor and moisture to the food, and in this case, the broth comes from a named source. Many times, broths come from unnamed sources but in this case, we know it comes from duck. For the most part, broths are considered to be a better moisture source than plain water. A high level of broth is perfectly normal for canned cat foods.

Vegetable broth – Broth is used to add flavor and moisture to the food, but in this case, the broth comes from an unnamed source. We usually like to see a named broth source like chicken broth or vegetable broth, but since this ingredient is unnamed, we are left guessing. While it is unlikely this ingredient is harmful to your cat, we would much rather see a named broth source here.

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.

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 Duck Stew Wet Cat Food

Pea flour – Peas are becoming more and more common in pet foods today, especially those listed as grain-free, holistic, or natural pet foods. While peas are certainly not grains, they serve much the same purpose. It mostly acts as a filler and a cheap way to increase the protein percentage of the food. However, cats receive almost no nutritional value from peas. Since cats are obligate carnivores, they require proteins from meat based ingredients. There is very little research that has been performed on the long term effects of cats consuming peas. We do know that peas can cause runny poop or digestion issues in dogs, but the full effect on cats remains a bit of an unknown. Since the peas in this case are added as a flour, the ingredient is probably added to help with the consistency of the food and the cooking process.

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.

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

Squash – Squash is not an ingredient your cat will gain any nutritional value from, but it is a preferred “filler ingredient” that will help make your cat feel more full. Many cat foods will use grains for this purpose, but many cat owners have been shying away from grains in pet food, so ingredients like squash are becoming more common. In the end, this ingredient may help the food taste better and might help to make your cat feel more satisfied after eating a meal.

Allergy Risks With By Nature Duck Stew Cat Food

Because of the fact this By Nature blend contains no grain, it is unlikely to cause allergic reactions in cats. The presence of complex carbohydrates also ensures the formula doesn’t lead to digestive issues. Of course, all cats are unique and may experience problems with any ingredient. Always watch for allergic reactions or digestions problems when switching to a new type of cat food.

Poor Quality Ingredients Commonly Found In Cat Food

Soy, wheat and corn – 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.

BHT and BHA 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.

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.

Fortunately these ingredients are not present in the By Nature Duck Stew Wet cat food formula.

Conclusion

The By Nature Duck Stew Wet cat food formula is made using wholesome ingredients, and is usually a good formula for cats with allergies. It contains no artificial additives or fillers. While the price may be a bit high, we believe the cost is worth it. Judging by the ingredients alone, this is an excellent cat food that we believe is significantly above the industry average in terms of quality.

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By Nature Chicken Olio Formula Cat Food Review

June 2, 2015

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The By Nature brand produces both dog and cat food and is also known to be one of the better pet food brands on the market. These foods are manufactured in a manufacturing plant situated in Londonderry, New Hampshire. Many pet owners are hesitant to purchase pet food produced outside of the United States due to an influx of recalls for food coming from other countries (especially China). The By Nature Chicken Olio Cat food formula is one of the many formulas under the By Nature brand.

According to the By Nature Company, chicken olio is a cat formula that is 100% grain free and acceptable for all life stages in cats. Many cat food brands are beginning to produce grain free blends. Dog and cat food containing grains and other “filler ingredients” are now considered lower quality pet food blends by a growing number of pet owners. By Nature isn’t just getting in on the trend. They have been producing grain free formulas for quite some time now.

As a cat owner, it is always ideal to learn as much as you can about a pet formula before you can decide on whether it is the best choice for your pet. Below, you will find a full list of ingredients in By Nature Chicken Olio Cat Food along with an explanation of the top ingredients. The top 5 ingredients make up about 90% of the nutrition in this cat food.

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Ingredients in By Nature Chicken Olio Cat Food

Chicken, Chicken Liver, Chicken Broth, Pea Flour, Dicalcium Phosphate, Carrots, Salt, Spinach, Sun-Cured Alfalfa, Cranberries, Guar Gum, Flaxseed, Potassium Chloride, Carrageenan, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Iron Proteinate, Calcium Carbonate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Calcium Iodate, Niacin Supplement (Vitamin B3), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), d-Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Biotin (Vitamin B7), Vitamin D2 Supplement, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9).

All the ingredients in this formula have been formulated to meet the AAFCO cat food nutritional guidelines.

Top 5 Ingredients Overview

The first five ingredients of any pet formula are an indication of the nutritional composition of the formula. It is, therefore, very important to pay attention to these five ingredients. We will now briefly cover some basic nutritional info for these first 5 ingredients.

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

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.

Chicken broth – This ingredient is used to enhance the flavor of the food and provide moisture. It is considered a better alternative to water. While it is not especially nutritious to your cat, there is nothing especially harmful about this ingredient.

Dicalcium phosphate – Dicalcium phosphate (DCP) is a dibasic calcium phosphate formed by a reactive combination of calcium oxide and phosphoric acid. As a dietary supplement, it is commonly used as a source of calcium and phosphorus for both humans and animals. This ingredient is also frequently used as a firming agent and binder to help give the food more structure. While not an especially nutritious ingredient, the risk of adverse health effects due to cats consuming this ingredient appears to be very low.

Additional 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.

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.

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 Risk From By Nature Chicken Olio Cat Food

By Nature Chicken Olio is a grain free formula and it doesn’t contain any of the main allergy causing ingredients. This cat formula is not supposed to cause allergic reactions, and there have been no widespread complaints related to allergic reactions in cats. In most cases, this is an acceptable food for cats with sensitive stomachs or food allergies. However, some cats suffer from very specific and uncommon food allergies. When switching to this cat food blend, keep an eye on your cat for any signs of allergic reaction.

Common Ingredients To Avoid In Cat Food

Animal by product – One of the worst meat ingredients found in pet food today is animal by product. It’s true that this ingredient provides a very high amount of meat protein that cats need to thrive. However, animal by products are considered to be the lowest form of meat and it isn’t even approved for human consumption. Animal by-products are carcasses and parts of carcasses from slaughterhouses, animal shelters, zoos and veterinarians, and products of animal origin not intended for human consumption, including catering waste. Legally, this ingredient can even contain roadkill or euthanized animals. This ingredient may also contain what is called “4D meat” which is what the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) calls cattle that is dead, dying, disabled or diseased. This meat is considered unfit for human consumption, but is typically found in many pet food products. This is not something we recommend you feed your cat or any other pet.

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.

Gluten meal – 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.

Fortunately, none of these harmful ingredients are found in the By Nature Chicken Olio cat food formula.

Conclusion

Overall, the By Nature Chicken Olio cat food formula is a good formula for cats. The ingredients are natural, and it is grain free. Most pet owners seem pleased with this formula as is evident from the positive reviews found online and elsewhere. Are you currently feeding By Nature Chicken Olio cat food to your cat? Let us know what you think about it below.

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By Nature Chicken Mackerel Wet Cat Food Review

June 2, 2015

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Cats, like humans, require a well balanced and nourishing diet to stay healthy and strong. If you are a cat owner, you’ve probably tried out all sorts of cat formulas with varying degrees of success. This need not be a hit and miss affair, as you can actually tell whether or not a formula is good for your cat from its ingredients. Our cat food reviews are designed to help you understand the ingredients in cat food better so that you can make your own informed decision on which cat food is best. Be sure to compare this By Nature Chicken & Mackerel cat food review to our other cat food reviews.

By Nature is a pet brand that offers many natural and organic based cat formulas. The Chicken & Mackerel Wet Cat Food formula is 70% organic and is one of the organic based cat formulas under the By Nature brand. While the price reflects the high quality ingredients used, it has quickly become a favorite for many cat owners seeking organic foods for their cats.

According to the By Nature Company, this is a cat formula is made with organic chicken, organic chicken livers, and mackerel as some of the main ingredients.

So how does this cat formula stack up against the competition? Find out below.

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Ingredients in The By Nature Chicken & Mackerel Cat Food Blend

Organic Chicken, Organic Chicken Livers, Water, Mackerel, Organic Pea Flour, Organic Locust Bean Gum, Organic Guar Gum, Dicalcium Phosphate, Taurine, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Vitamin E Supplement, Choline Chloride, Zinc Proteinate (Chelated Source of Zinc), Manganese Proteinate (Chelated Source of Manganese), Copper Proteinate (Chelated Source of Copper), Vitamin A Acetate, Sodium Selenite, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide, Biotin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Menadione Dimethylpyrimidinol Bisulfite, Folic Acid.

Top 5 Ingredients Overview

Organic Chicken

Organic Chicken Livers

Water

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

Mackerel

Mackerel is a common name applied to a number of different species of pelagic fish, mostly, but not exclusively, from the family Scombridae. They are found in both temperate and tropical seas, mostly living along the coast or offshore in the oceanic environment. Fish based ingredients provide an excellent source of fatty acids, proteins, and very high quality nutrients. Some cat owners are worried about the increasing level of mercury in fish, but so far the FDA says it is well within’ safe limits for both humans and pets. In addition, some pet owners worry about where the fish comes from, because a lot of fish used in pet foods is obtained from farmed fish that have not passed inspections to be used in human consumption. It could also contain fish waste products that can’t be used anywhere else. So while there is some concern about this and any other fish based ingredient in cat food, in general, it is considered a higher quality nutrient source.

Organic Pea Flour

Additional Ingredients In By Nature Chicken & Mackerel Cat Food

Organic Locust Bean Gum

Locust bean gum is a thickening agent and a gelling agent used in food technology. Locust bean gum is a galactomannan vegetable gum extracted from the seeds of the carob tree, mostly found in the Mediterranean region. There is some belief that this ingredient can cause gas, diarrhea and loss of nutrients. Overall, this is a non-nutritious ingredient that is only used to assist with the texture of the food.

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.

Zinc Proteinate

Zinc proteinate is the final product resulting from the chelation of zinc with amino acids and/or partially hydrolyzed proteins. It is used as a nutritional animal feed supplement formulated to prevent and/or correct zinc deficiency in animals. Zinc proteinate can be used in place of zinc sulfate and zinc methionine.

Manganese Proteinate

The manganese from manganese proteinate is a chelated source of manganese and is an antioxidant. It slows down the process of aging, activates many enzymes and helps utilize fatty acids. There isn’t a whole lot known about this ingredient, but it does not appear to pose a health threat.

Allergy Risk With By Nature Chicken & Mackerel Cat Food

The chicken & mackerel wet cat formula contains none of the major allergy causing ingredients like soy, wheat or corn. This makes it an allergy friendly formula. The fact that it is 70% organic makes it ideal for cats that are overly sensitive to processed foods. Some cats may have issues digesting the pea flour, but in general, this is a suitable cat food for cats with sensitive stomachs and allergies.

Conclusion

The By Nature Chicken & Mackerel Wet Cat Food formula is a nutritious cat food formula for cats of all ages. It is also a great option for cats with allergies. The manufacturers have done a good job to ensure the formula lives up to the expectations and we are very pleased to see so many organic ingredients in this blend. Judging by the ingredients alone, we believe this is an above average cat food.

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By Nature 95% Salmon Cat Food Review & Ingredients Breakdown

June 2, 2015

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The By Nature 95% Salmon Cat Food is one of the numerous fish based formulas in the cat food market today. According to the By Nature Company, this is a grain free formula that contains up to 95% salmon content. The manufacturer claims that this formula offers your cat all the nutrition that it requires to lead a healthy life.

Does this product live up to the hype? Read the rest of our By Nature 95% Salmon cat food review on to find out.

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Ingredients in By Nature 95% Salmon Cat Food

Salmon, Fish Broth, Dicalcium Phosphate, Sun-cured Alfalfa Meal, Flaxseed, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Choline Chloride, Carrageenan, Guar Gum, Taurine, Iron Proteinate, Magnesium, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Calcium Iodate, Niacin Supplement (Vitamin B3), d-Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Vitamin E Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Biotin (Vitamin B7), Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Vitamin D2 Supplement, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9).

Top 5 Ingredients Breakdown For By Nature 95% Salmon 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.

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.

Dicalcium Phosphate

Sun-cured Alfalfa Meal

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. The reason this is listed as “sun cured” is because it has been dried naturally by the sun. For the most part, this is just 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.

Other Ingredients Of Interest In By Nature 95% Salmon Cat Food

Guar Gum

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.

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.

Taurine

Allergy Risk In By Nature 95% Salmon Cat Food

There are no traces of corn, soy or wheat in the ingredients list. These are the most common allergens found in most cat food formulas. This formula is also grain free, meaning it very easy to digest for most cats. While all cats are different and some may suffer from unique food allergies, this blend appears to be quite safe for most cats, even those with sensitive digestive systems or food allergies.

Common Poor Quality Ingredients Found In Cat Food

Apart from the above mentioned allergens, you should also avoid:

Artificial coloring 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 flavoring – While it might seem obvious, we have some concerns about the use of artificial flavoring in cat food. This ingredient is usually derived petroleum and there have not been many studies done on the effects it has on cats. Unfortunately, artificial flavor can come from a very long list of sources and there is no way we can verify how safe this ingredient is. We generally recommend not feeding your cat any “flavors” even if it is natural flavor. In the case of artificial flavor, we don’t see any benefit to having this included.

The good news is that none of these ingredients are present in the By Nature 95% Salmon cat food formula.

Conclusion

The reviews on this formula are mostly positive. Cat owners seem to love the fact that it is grain free and contains none of the commonly known allergy causing ingredients. The ingredients point to a nutritious and well balanced cat food. We believe By Nature 95% Salmon is an above average cat food blend.

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By Nature 95% Tuna And Chicken Cat Food Review

June 2, 2015

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Is your cat a sucker for tuna and chicken blends? There are numerous chicken and tuna blends in the cat food market. However, most formulas do not offer as much chicken and tuna as this food. In many other cat food blends, the meat protein content is substituted with corn and other potentially harmful ingredients. Nevertheless, there are some blends that promise to offer large amounts of tuna and chicken content in one formula. By Nature is one of these brands.

The By Nature 95% tuna & chicken formula is claimed to be perfectly blended to offer your cat the required meat protein needed to thrive. This formula is also claimed to boost the health of your cat while shielding it from common ailments. Are these claims true? We will begin our By Nature 95% Tuna and Chicken Cat Food review with a close analysis of the ingredients in this blend.

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Ingredients In By Nature 95% Tuna & Chicken Cat Food

Tuna, Fish Broth, Chicken, Chicken Liver, Dicalcium Phosphate, Flaxseed, Sun-Cured Alfalfa, Salt, Choline Chloride, Tricalcium Phosphate, Guar Gum, Carrageenan, Taurine, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Zinc Proteinate, Iron 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, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin D2 Supplement, Folic Acid.

According to By Nature, these ingredients are blended to meet the AAFCO nutritional requirements for cat foods.

By Nature 95% Tuna & Chicken Top 5 Ingredients Overview

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.

Fish Broth

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 Liver

Dicalcium Phosphate

Additional Ingredients Of Interest In By Nature 95% Tuna & Chicken Cat Food

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.

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 E Supplement

By Nature 95% Tuna & Chicken Cat Food Allergy Risks

This is a grain free formula that contains none of the commonly known allergens. It is, therefore, generally safe for cats with food sensitivities. All cats are different and your cat could suffer from a unique food allergy, but in general, the risk of food allergies to cats in this blend is very low.

Poor Quality Ingredients Commonly Found In Cat Food

Wheat, soy and corn – 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.

Animal by-products – One of the worst meat ingredients found in pet food today is animal by product. It’s true that this ingredient provides a very high amount of meat protein that cats need to thrive. However, animal by products are considered to be the lowest form of meat and it isn’t even approved for human consumption. Animal by-products are carcasses and parts of carcasses from slaughterhouses, animal shelters, zoos and veterinarians, and products of animal origin not intended for human consumption, including catering waste. Legally, this ingredient can even contain roadkill or euthanized animals. This ingredient may also contain what is called “4D meat” which is what the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) calls cattle that is dead, dying, disabled or diseased. This meat is considered unfit for human consumption, but is typically found in many pet food products. This is not something we recommend you feed your cat or any other pet.

Fortunately, none of these ingredients are included in the By Nature 95% tuna and chicken formula.

Conclusion

The By Nature 95% tuna and chicken formula seems to be a favorite amongst many cat owners. This is mainly because it is a grain free formula that contains quality ingredients with a large protein percentage. Therefore, this is an above average formula for almost any cat.

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Blue Wilderness Mature Chicken (Dry) Cat Food

June 2, 2015

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Looking for a cat formula that is a source of high quality protein and other high quality nutrients? Finding a cat formula can be a hard task for cat owners for there are very many cat formulas in the market today all claiming to be healthy and safe.

The Blue Wilderness Mature Chicken (dry) cat formula is a product of the Blue Buffalo Company. The company claims the cat formula contains ingredients that are a source of vitamins and minerals that help support a strong and healthy immune system. Is this an ideal cat feed for your cat? Read on and find out.

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Ingredients contained in the cat formula

Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Potato Starch, Peas, Fish Meal (source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Potatoes, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Flaxseed (source of Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids), Natural Chicken Flavor, Alfalfa Meal, Whole Carrots, Whole Sweet Potatoes, Cranberries, Blueberries, Barley Grass, Dried Parsley, Dried Kelp, Taurine, Yucca Schidigera Extract, L-Carnitine, L-Lysine, Turmeric, Oil of Rosemary, Beta Carotene, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Niacin (Vitamin B3), d-Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Biotin (Vitamin B7), Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Calcium Ascorbate (source of Vitamin C), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Choline Chloride, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate, Salt, Caramel, Potassium Chloride, Dried Yeast (source of Saccharomyces cerevisiae), Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, Dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation product, Dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product.

An overview of the first five ingredients

Chicken

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.

Turkey meal

Turkey is a fantastic source of very healthy animal based proteins. Since this is listed as turkey meal, that means almost all of the moisture was removed prior to the cooking process. This is actually a good thing as it will contain many times more protein than turkey that was cooked without the moisture being removed. As one of the best protein sources for cats, we are very pleased to see this ingredient listed here.

Potato starch

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

Peas

Peas are becoming more and more common in pet foods today, especially those listed as grain-free, holistic, or natural pet foods. While peas are certainly not grains, they serve much the same purpose. It mostly acts as a filler and a cheap way to increase the protein percentage of the food. However, cats receive almost no nutritional value from peas. Since cats are obligate carnivores, they require proteins from meat based ingredients. There is very little research that has been performed on the long term effects of cats consuming peas. We do know that peas can cause runny poop or digestion issues in dogs, but the full effect on cats remains a bit of an unknown. At best, this ingredient will act as a filler and will not provide much nutritional value, if any, to your cat.

Other ingredients of interest

Natural chicken flavor – As you might expect, this ingredient is simply the extracted flavoring of chicken. We usually don’t like “flavor” ingredients, but in this case, the animal is named. This ingredient isn’t going to add any nutritional value to the food, but it may make the food taste better.

Fish meal – When you see fish listed as “fish meal” on an ingredients list, that means almost all of the moisture was removed from the fish prior to the cooking process. That means fish meal contains a much higher amount of protein as opposed to it’s whole fish counterpart. However, we aren’t pleased that this ingredient is an unnamed fish source. Fish meal can contain almost any type of fish, including fish waste products that are not used for human consumption purposes. Whenever we see an unnamed fish source, we get a little nervous about what may (or may not) be included.

Can this cat formula cause allergies in cats?

Judging from the list of ingredients contained in this cat feed, there is no trace of ingredients that can harm your cat’s health. This makes Blue Wilderness Mature Chicken (dry) an ideal cat formula for your cat.

Ingredients to avoid

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

Conclusion

The Blue Wilderness Mature Chicken (dry) cat formula is a decent formula. This is because it contains quality ingredients that ensure that all the nutritional needs of your cat are met. It is also allergen free and is ideal for all cats.

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Blue Wilderness Kitten Chicken (Dry) Cat Food

June 2, 2015

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Do you own kittens? If so, you probably realize that the formula it feeds on plays a major role in ensuring healthy growth and development. Kittens are very playful and this means that they lose a lot of energy during the day. Consequently, you should feed it on foods that will help restore the energy it used up during the day.

The Blue Wilderness Kitten Chicken (dry) formula has been made using ingredients that will give your cat the nutrition it needs to grow healthy and strong. This formula has also been advertised as containing no grain and is also gluten-free.

Is this formula a suitable solution for your growing kitten?

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Ingredients used

Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Potato Starch, Fish Meal (source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Fish Oil (source of DHA-Docosahexaenoic Acid), Peas, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Flaxseed (source of Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids), Natural Chicken Flavor, Potatoes, Potato Protein, Sunflower Oil (source of Omega 6 Fatty Acids), Alfalfa Meal, Whole Carrots, Whole Sweet Potatoes, Cranberries, Blueberries, Barley Grass, Dried Parsley, Dried Kelp, Taurine, Yucca Schidigera Extract, L-Carnitine, L-Lysine, Turmeric, Oil of Rosemary, Beta Carotene, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Niacin (Vitamin B3), d-Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Biotin (Vitamin B7),Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Calcium Ascorbate (source of Vitamin C), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Choline Chloride, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate, Salt, Caramel, Potassium Chloride, Dried Yeast (source of Saccharomyces cerevisiae), Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, Dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation product, Dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product.

A closer look at the first five ingredients

Deboned Chicken: Chicken is a very popular ingredient for pet food and in this case, they are referring to whole chicken with the bones removed. 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 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.

Turkey Meal: Turkey is a fantastic source of very healthy animal based proteins. Since this is listed as turkey meal, that means almost all of the moisture was removed prior to the cooking process. This is actually a good thing as it will contain many times more protein than turkey that was cooked without the moisture being removed. As one of the best protein sources for cats, we are very pleased to see this ingredient listed here.

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

Fish Meal (source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids): When you see fish listed as “fish meal” on an ingredients list, that means almost all of the moisture was removed from the fish prior to the cooking process. That means fish meal contains a much higher amount of protein as opposed to it’s whole fish counterpart. However, we aren’t pleased that this ingredient is an unnamed fish source. Fish meal can contain almost any type of fish, including fish waste products that are not used for human consumption purposes. Whenever we see an unnamed fish source, we get a little nervous about what may (or may not) be included.

Other ingredients used

Peas: Peas are becoming more and more common in pet foods today, especially those listed as grain-free, holistic, or natural pet foods. While peas are certainly not grains, they serve much the same purpose. It mostly acts as a filler and a cheap way to increase the protein percentage of the food. However, cats receive almost no nutritional value from peas. Since cats are obligate carnivores, they require proteins from meat based ingredients. There is very little research that has been performed on the long term effects of cats consuming peas. We do know that peas can cause runny poop or digestion issues in dogs, but the full effect on cats remains a bit of an unknown. At best, this ingredient will act as a filler and will not provide much nutritional value, if any, to your cat.

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.

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.

Will my cat suffer from allergic reactions?

Judging from the ingredients list, it is quite clear that the ingredients used to make this formula are highly nutritious. There are also no allergy-causing ingredients used, and this means that your cat will not suffer from allergic reactions after feeding on the Blue Wilderness Kitten Chicken (dry) formula.

Other nutritious ingredients used

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.

Alfalfa Meal: 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.

Whole 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.

Conclusion

The Blue Wilderness Kitten Chicken dry formula will give your kitten the nutrition it needs for healthy growth and development. Nevertheless the use of poultry protein sources in dry formulas is not recommended due to the loss of nutrients during processing. Nevertheless this is a great formula.

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Blue Wilderness Chicken and Duck (Dry) Cat Food

June 2, 2015

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Is your cat showing signs of suffering from malnutrition? There is nothing more irritating and worrying than having a cat that looks unhealthy. The cat’s coat can easily tell you whether or not your feline is healthy. If your feline does not have an underlying health condition, it is probable that you are not feeding it on low-nutritive formulas. Luckily, there are numerous cat formulas in the market that can help to restore the health of your feline. It is important to take your time when choosing cat formulas. This ensures that you go for nutritionally rich formulas that will have your feline up and healthy again.

The blue wilderness chicken and duck (dry) cat treats is a cat formula that is said to be formulated to nurture the health of your feline. According to the Blue Buffalo Company, this formula contains nutritious ingredients that will help your cat to regain and maintain its health in just a few months.

Is this formula as good as the manufacturer claims? Find out below.

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The ingredients in the formula

Chicken, duck, whole ground potatoes, vegetable glycerine, gelatin, natural flavor, salt, preserved with phosphoric, sorbic and citric acids, mixed tocopherols (source of vitamin e), rosemary

An overview of the first five ingredients

Chicken

Duck

Duck is an excellent alternative meat source and provides very high quality meat proteins for your cat. As a whole meat product, much of this ingredient is lost during the cooking process, but it is less water heavy than other whole meat ingredients like chicken or beef. So, while much of this ingredient is lost during the cooking process, it is still a very high quality ingredient and we are quite pleased to see it listed here.

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

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.

Sorbic

Sorbic acid, or hexadienoic acid, is a natural organic compound used as a food preservative. Even though preservatives in general are not considered high quality ingredients, this is one of the better preservatives. Due to the manufacturing, shipping, and storage process, most cat foods will include preservatives.

Is this an allergy causing cat treat formula?

This formula is unlikely to cause allergies. It does not contain any allergens. This makes it ideal for cats with allergies.

Harmful ingredients in cat formulas

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

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.

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.

Conclusion

From the list of ingredients, it is rather apparent that the blue wilderness chicken and duck (dry) cat recipe is a good cat formula. It has all the ingredients required for your cat to lead a happy and healthy lifestyle. This cat food does not contain any allergy causing ingredients. This makes it ideal for all felines, even the ones that suffer from allergies.

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Blue Wilderness Chicken and Duck Canned (Wet)

June 2, 2015

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Cat Food Reviews

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If you are looking for a cat formula made with real chicken and duck, then the Blue Wilderness Chicken and Duck canned (wet) might just be what you’re looking for. This formula is a product of the Blue Buffalo Company. The company claims that the cat formula is free from artificial preservatives that are known adversely affect cats. It also claims that the cat formula contains all the nutrients that your cat needs to stay healthy and strong. Is this true?

There is only one way to determine whether this formula is suitable for your feline friend. Let’s go over the ingredients.

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Ingredients

Duck, Chicken, Chicken Broth, Potato Flour, Cassia Gum, Dicalcium Phosphate, Flaxseed (source of Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids), Salt, Carrageenan, Guar Gum, potassium Chloride, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Niacin (Vitamin B3), d-Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Biotin (Vitamin B7), Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate, Choline Chloride

A brief overview of the first five ingredients

Duck

Chicken

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.

Potato flour

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.

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.

Other ingredients that are worth looking at

Does this cat formula cause allergies in cats?

This cat formula does not contain any harmful ingredients. This means that the cat feed is unlikely to trigger allergies in cats. This should in no way mean that you can feed your cat on the formula without inspecting the ingredients list. It is possible for your cat to be allergic to any other ingredient in the formula.

Ingredients to avoid

Wheat and corn – Both of these ingredients are grains and unfortunately, they have links to food allergies in cats. While most cats will not form allergic reactions to these ingredients, cats with pre-existing food allergies should avoid both wheat and corn based products. In addition, wheat and corn can be very difficult for some cats to digest. Since cats are obligate carnivores, their digestive systems are designed to process meats and not grains. These ingredients boost the protein percentage of the food, but cats do not get the same nutritional benefit from plant proteins as meat proteins. Cats require meat protein to live a healthy life. Both of these ingredients are most commonly found in lower priced cat foods and include the grains as a way to help make your cat feel more full without actually adding more expensive and nutritional ingredients to the food. In smaller quantities, these ingredients shouldn’t pose any issues, but wheat and corn aren’t considered to be high quality ingredients by any means.

Conclusion

The Blue Wilderness Chicken and Duck canned (wet) cat formula is an ideal cat feed for cats. This is because it contains only high quality ingredients that offer the best nutritional value to your cat. It is protein rich and well balanced.

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