What kind of meat is used in the production of cat food?

The manufacturing processes vary depending on the type of cat food but can generally be divided into similar steps. In the industry, production typically involves using various meat and by-products, often from less premium sources. Instead of using exclusively whole meat pieces, manufacturers often incorporate meat by-products such as carcasses and Mechanically Separated Meat (MSM). However, this doesn’t necessarily mean inferior quality. Firstly, meat for many types of feed is pureed, making the original form of the meat less relevant. Additionally, cats have barbs on their tongues allowing them to effectively scrape meat from bones. They also consume prey with skin and bones in the wild. The issue arises when manufacturers solely rely on these cheaper forms of meat.

Higher-quality parts of an animal contain different or more nutrients, essential for a balanced diet. Unfortunately, relying solely on the manufacturer’s declaration, which often lacks detailed ingredient lists, is common. Only with ragout varieties can one be certain of the parts used, as they are often merely sliced and maintain their original form. The individual ingredients are also visible in the finished product. Dynasty’s ragout cat food is an excellent example where all components, from meat to chicken hearts or vegetable parts, are recognizable.

The temptation to use cheap ingredients is high.

In the production of pâté or mousse, cat food manufacturers often utilize production leftovers such as meat and fish scraps from human food production. These are inexpensive as they cannot be processed elsewhere and would otherwise require costly disposal. However, these unwanted by-products may encompass a variety of different animal sources, not necessarily meeting human consumption standards.

On the other hand, better ingredients include genuine fillet or muscle meat, as well as high-quality organs like heart and liver. These are considered high-quality organs due to their high concentration of essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. While using them allows for more of the animal to be processed, which is generally positive, it also tempts manufacturers to save on disposal costs by incorporating parts that don’t belong in the production.

The processing of wet cat food

The process of manufacturing cat food begins with mechanically grinding and mixing the meat and by-products. This mixture can also be blended with other ingredients such as grains, vegetables, and binders to achieve the desired consistency and composition.

In extreme cases, this mass is further liquefied and later thickened back into a form. This often results in meat cubes in sauce, which, however, have nothing in common with meat properties anymore.

To sell a complete food, manufacturers must comply with various EU regulations regarding nutrient composition for cat food. These regulations are issued by FEDIAF, the European Pet Food Industry Federation, as guidelines within the EU. Almost all major manufacturers belong to this federation and adhere to the guidelines. During production, the nutrient levels of the individual ingredients, including vitamins and minerals, are calculated through laboratory analysis and extrapolation. The calculated difference to the FEDIAF guideline is then added to the food in the form of a pre-mixed nutrient mix powder (also called premix) during production.

Ragout – newer and more elaborate production of cat food

While ragout is the best form of cat food after Barf, it’s also significantly more expensive than conventional forms, provided the manufacturer does it right. Here, whole pieces of meat and vegetables are processed, sometimes even whole chicken hearts. You can easily recognize the individual parts in a ragout feed. To make a ragout a complete feed, it requires the same additives specified by FEDIAF, such as taurine, vitamins, and minerals. Often, only a portion of the meat is minced and pressed into a sausage (similar to a butcher), incorporating the nutrients. It’s like a coarse sausage without casing. This is then sliced and added to the can.

The different shapes and sizes of meat, sausage, and vegetables make production extremely difficult. Manufacturers require multiple production lines and machines for this type of food. In filling, heavy parts sink to the bottom, while light parts float to the top. Proper mixing in the feed is therefore very demanding and can lead to fluctuations. Many well-known industrially filled ragout brands have this problem. Some are extremely watery, others contain too many vegetables or too many hearts, some cans hardly have any. These challenges often lead smaller providers to manual filling, further increasing production costs.

Production of minced cat food – Pâté and Mousse

With meat pâté-based feed, the process is comparatively simple. Unlike ragout, everything is mixed together, pureed, and filled. This results in a meat paste that is easy to handle and fill. However, to bind this meat paste during cooking into a homogeneous mass, auxiliary substances such as thickeners or binders must be used in production. These ensure that the liquid contained in the paste remains there and a chewable consistency is guaranteed. Lucky Kitty is a manufacturer that avoids these substances, which, though commendable, leads to a very firm lump of meat forming in the middle of the can, separating from the water.

The different designations of cat food such as minced or pâté correspond in production to the fineness of the feed. A pâté is very fine, almost smooth, and no longer resembles the consistency of meat. Minced feed is somewhat coarser and rather reminiscent of ground meat. Wet food in mousse form has a light, airy consistency and in some ways resembles human foods like mousse or pudding. It has a particularly soft texture but is also processed accordingly heavily.

A special form of production is the aforementioned chunks in sauce, which are not real meat chunks but pressed meat paste in cube form, resembling a meat cube. As you can imagine, these cubes are also processed with additives to maintain their shape. By the way, these substances are often not subject to declaration requirements. You won’t find this information on the label of the can.

The cooking process of wet food

A meat paste feed is cooked in large batches after mixing. The cooking process for ragout is similar, except that the ingredients are sometimes precooked individually. To kill microorganisms and extend the shelf life of the feed, the ingredients are heated to high temperatures. Usually, in large-scale productions, this happens in metal tubes. Here, the feed is pressed through the tube with water and then filled into cans. During this transport, some of this liquid gets into the can of wet food.

This water – also part of the cooking process – is indicated on the labels as broth. This is particularly noticeable when dealing with additives. In the northern regions of Germany, manganese is not present in groundwater, so it is added to the production of cat food. A manufacturer with manganese in their groundwater doesn’t need to add it additionally and therefore doesn’t have to label it on the can. The hot cat food is then placed in previously sterilized cans, sealed, and labeled.

How does the smell of cat food develop?

More natural cat food varieties, which are less heavily processed industrially, also tend to have a less intense smell. They retain more of their natural aroma – that of fresh meat. The more heavily processed a cat food is during production, the stronger it often smells like cat food.

You’ll notice the difference immediately when you open a cat food in ragout consistency. Although often the same ingredients are used as in conventional cat food, it smells distinctly different. Moreover, with this type of food, there’s no way to hide anything, as the individual ingredients are easy to identify. Therefore, the raw material quality is often slightly better.

Protein denaturation

When cooking meat, the proteins in the meat are denatured. This means that the protein structure changes, resulting in a change in texture and taste. Denaturation causes the protein to lose its specific shape, which often leads to a loss of its biological activity or function. For example, cooking eggs leads to the denaturation of the protein albumin, changing it from a clear, liquid substance to a white solid. While denatured proteins don’t necessarily change their chemical composition, they do change their structure. However, in meat paste, which consists of minced, ground, or pureed meat, this denaturation occurs faster and more uniformly than with meat chunks.

Change in fat structure

The fat molecules also change when cooking meat. Some unsaturated fatty acids can oxidize, leading to a loss of omega-3 fatty acids. Meat paste, which is often cooked with additives such as oil or broth, may have a higher fat content than meat chunks cooked dry. More fat, in turn, reacts more with the other ingredients and oxidizes more strongly, which is also a reason for the typical cat food smell. Pureed products therefore smell much more unpleasant than, for example, ragout cat food.

Formation of aroma compounds

When cooking meat, new aroma compounds are formed through various chemical reactions. These aroma compounds contribute to the characteristic taste of cooked meat. Meat paste, which is more intensively processed through grinding and mixing, can have a more intense aroma formation than meat chunks that are less processed.

Formation of compounds

During cooking, new compounds can also form between the proteins and other components of the meat. These new compounds contribute to the taste and texture of the cooked meat. With meat paste, this happens much more and faster than with whole meat chunks.

(Technological) additives in the production of cat food

Commercial cat food varieties contain additives such as vitamins, minerals, and flavors. Often also preservatives, antioxidants, thickeners or binders, and colorants. Whether this is the case and how good the quality of the substances used is, cannot always be judged, as many of them do not need to be declared. These substances also change the smell and consistency of the food, so at least it’s possible to infer their use from the type of food. Many additives are suspected of promoting allergies or intolerances.

Changes in nutrient composition are inevitable during cooking

Overall, cooking meat changes the composition of nutrients and the sensory properties, both in meat paste and meat chunks. The exact degree of change depends on factors such as temperature, cooking time, liquid addition, and the type and consistency of the meat. Some nutrients are lost during cooking, while others are released, flushed out, or intensified by the cooking process.

Therefore, you should always make sure to also feed the sauce. With a pureed feed, the broth produced during cooking – and thus the nutrients leached into it – are retained. Due to the thickeners used, meat paste and water recombine into a mass. This is not the case with ragout. Although the nutrients are still in the sauce here, not every cat loves it, while others even “bathe” in it.

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Why calories matter in cat food

First and foremost: Health

Both underfeeding and overfeeding can lead to health problems. Underfeeding can lead to malnutrition while overfeeding can result in obesity and its complications. By comparing the calories in cat food, you can find an excellent starting point for your darling’s perfect diet.

Quality Assurance

High-quality food usually provides more calories than food with less quality. Even though we have to say you need to compare foods within the same type. Comparing wet foods with other wet foods and dry foods with other dry foods can give hints as to which one has higher quality ingredients.

Cost-Effectiveness

Understanding the calorie content can also help you evaluate the cost-effectiveness of different cat foods. Some foods may seem more expensive upfront but are actually more calorie-dense, requiring smaller portions to meet your cat’s needs, potentially saving money in the long run.

How to prepare for comparing cat food calories

In the US, cat food labels may not always present calorie information in the most user-friendly way. You’re accustomed to seeing calories per cup or can, but for meaningful comparisons between different cat foods, grams are the way to go. This preference stems from the fact that researchers base most of their formulas on this measurement, making it the standard for calculating energy content in cat food. This guide will prepare you to use grams as your standard unit, ensuring accurate and useful comparisons between different cat foods.

Not only do you need to gain a basic understanding of what your fluffball needs, but you’ll also want to monitor her habits and body weight. This is the only way you will be able to tell if the amount of calories you are feeding is enough or too much/too little. Be aware that if you want to track this, you need to include all kinds of treats your cat gets. Here we will give you every piece of information you need in an easily understandable way.

The amount of calories needed depends on your cat’s energy level, age, breed, size, weight and activity level. Healthy cats that grew up as kittens with wet food and not with a lack of food usually have developed a good feeling of satiety. They can often decide for themselves how much they want to eat. If they were active for a day, this can also lead to more food. Sick cats, or cats that can’t, need your help. If your cat still gains too much weight, use our formula or get help from a cat nutritionist. These are preferable to a veterinarian because of their specialized training.

How to compare calories in different cat foods

1. Gather nutritional Information

For each cat food you’re considering, gather the nutritional information, including moisture, crude protein, crude fat, crude ash, and crude fiber contents. This information is typically found on the product’s label or its website.

2. Calculate the Metabolizable Energy (ME) for each food

• Calculate the carbohydrate content (NFE) of each food.
• Determine the Gross Energy (GE) for each.
• Calculate the Energy Digestibility (ED).
• Find the Digestible Energy (DE) for each.
• Calculate the Metabolizable Energy (ME) for each cat food option (in kcal per 100g).

For a detailed example and explanations of terms, you can head to our article about the best formula to calculate energy in cat foods.

3. Compare ME Values

With the ME calculated for each cat food, you can start to compare the energy content. This comparison will reveal which food offers more or less energy per 100 grams, helping you to make informed decisions about which food meets your and your cat’s requirements best.

Example of comparing two cat foods

Let’s say you’ve calculated the ME for two different cat foods, and you got:

• Cat Food A: ME = 113.7 kcal/100g
• Cat Food B: ME = 88.9 kcal/100g

For our 4 kilogram (8.8 pounds) cat, her requirement is 216 calories a day. If you want to find the energy requirement for your cat, you can do so with the table we mentioned before. Let’s use the following formula:

Your cat’s energy requirement (kcal/100g) / ME (kcal/100g) x 100

Cat Food A:
ME Cat Food A = 216 kcal/100g / 113.7 kcal/100g x 100

For Cat Food A (with an ME of 113.7 calories per 100 grams), you would need approximately 190 grams (6.7 ounces) of food per day.

Cat Food B:
ME Cat Food B = 216 kcal/100g / 88.9 kcal/100g x 100

For Cat Food B (with an ME of 88.9 calories per 100 grams), you would need approximately 243 grams (8.6 ounces) of food per day.

4. Compare price efficiency

Find the costs/kg, or costs/lb on the product’s price label or website. We’ll need to convert those to cost/g or cost/oz to see how much each food for our kitty costs each day. We’ll include how to get from ounces to grams as well.

1. Convert prices. Divide the price per kg, lb, or oz by the corresponding factor:

• There are 1,000 grams in a kilogram.
• There are 16 ounces in one pound.
• There are approx. 435.592 grams in one pound.
• There are approx. 28.35 grams in an ounce.

For Food A priced at $6.39 per pound or $14.1 per kilogram:

From price per pound to price per ounce
$6.39/oz / 16 = $0.40/oz
From price per kilogram to price per gram
$14.1/kg / 1,000 = $0.0141/g
From price per ounce price per gram
$0.40/oz / 28.35 grams = $0.0141/g

For Food B priced at $5.90 per pound or $13.10 per kilogram:

From price per pound to price per ounce
$5.90/oz / 16 = $0,37/oz
From price per kilogram to price per gram
$13.10/kg / 1,000 = $0.0131/g
From price per ounce price per gram
$0.37/oz / 28.35 grams = $0.0131/g

Food B is slightly cheaper per gram (and ounce) than Food A! BUT that’s not the whole story – you still need to multiply this value by how much of the food your cat needs daily (remember her daily food requirement).

2. Calculate the daily cost for each food. Multiply the cost per gram by the daily required grams:

Food A:
For using grams: $0.0141 x 190 g = $2.68/day
For using ounces: $0.40 x 6.7 oz = $2.68/day

Food B:
For using grams: $0.0131 x 243 g = $3.18
For using ounces: $0.37 x 8.6 oz = $3.18

The price of Cat Food A is $2.68 per day while Cat Food B costs $3.18 per day.

Cat Food B, while slightly cheaper per gram or ounce requires bigger amounts to meet the daily calorie requirement, so it ends up with a higher daily cost. Cat Food A provides more value for the price due to its higher energy density.

The priority is to ensure dietary variety for your cat, emphasizing the importance of providing a balanced nutrition that caters to all of her nutritional needs. Calculating the calories of cat foods helps prevent dietary deficiencies and promotes overall health. Alongside this, it’s crucial to feed your cat the right amount of food, aiming to maintain her optimal body weight and health status. The specific amount required can vary greatly, depending on factors such as her age, weight, neuter status, activity level, and any specific health concerns she may have.

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Wet cat food – High-quality hydration option

Now, think about diluting that energy by adding water. That’s what happens with wet cat food –it’s about 80 percent water, which not only keeps your cat well-hydrated but also allows her to consume a larger volume of food with fewer calories (about 100 kcal per 100g or 3.5oz). This can help prevent urinary issues and keep her kidneys healthy.

Dry cat food – Low-quality content and high-calorie considerations

Dry food, on the other hand, has very little water in it (only about 10%), so it has more calories (about 400 kcal per 100g or 3.5oz). Even though at first glance it looks like you can save money by relying on dry food as your cat’s main energy source: It’s best to feed your cat wet food as her main diet to keep her hydrated and healthy. Save dry food for an occasional treat. For more information on that check out our detailed article about why wet food is better than dry food.

Why direct comparisons are misleading

Comparing wet and dry cat food based on calorie content without adjusting for moisture content is like comparing apples to oranges. For instance, a cup of dry food might contain 300 kcal, while a cup of wet food might only have 80 kcal due to its higher water content. This does not mean the wet food is “less nutritious”; it simply contains more water which in fact is one of the most important ingredients for keeping your cat healthy.

Your takeaway should be that it only makes sense to compare foods of the same kind. Compare wet foods only to other wet foods. If you’re ready to dig a bit deeper and crunch some numbers now you can head to our article about comparing cat food calories.

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Most pet owners like to use the so-called “Atwater” formula because it’s more compact. The formula we use is more accurate and used by the National Research Council (NRC, USA).¹ The Metabolizable Energy (ME) formula is an equation derived from a series of experimental data. The formula predicts the available energy from levels of fat, crude fiber, protein, and moisture in the diet. Let’s go over the terms you’ll see in the formula.

Gross Energy (GE): This is the total amount of energy in the food. But just because it’s there doesn’t mean your cat can use it all – some of that energy just isn’t digestible.

Digestible Energy (DE): After your cat eats, the body takes what it can use and the rest is dumped as poo. DE is what’s left after the body has had its first pick and tossed the rest.

Metabolizable Energy (ME): ME is the actual energy your pet can use. You calculate it after subtracting the energy lost through urine and gases from the digestible energy (DE). It’s the energy that your cat’s body uses to power basic bodily functions, keep stable body temperature, and support activities like growth, reproduction, and play.

Calculating cat food’s Metabolizable Energy step by step

Now we’ll show you how to calculate calories of Metabolizable Energy. The formula is based on the label values of nutrients: Crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, and crude ash in percentage (%), so assuming 100% of our food equals 100 g, we can simply compare 100g of food to another food.

Step 1: Calculation of the carbohydrate content (NFE)

First, calculate the carbohydrates (in grams per 100 grams of food) by subtracting the sum of moisture (%), crude protein (%), crude fat (%), crude ash (%), and crude fiber (%) from 100. This gives you the Nitrogen-Free Extract (NFE) in percentage (%) which is a scientific way of calling the carbohydrate content in the food.

NFE (%/100g) = 100 − (moisture + crude protein + crude fat + crude ash + crude fiber)

Step 2: Calculation of the gross energy (GE)

Calculate Gross Energy (GE) with the help of NFE:
GE (kcal/100g) = (5.7 × crude protein + 9.4) × (crude fat + 4.1) × (NFE + crude fiber)

Step 3: Calculation of the percentage energy digestibility (ED)

Calculate this coefficient first with the help of crude fiber in dry matter.
Dry matter is what is left when you dry out food completely. Imagine only the water evaporating while all the nutrients stay intact in a small, dry pile.

Dry matter (%)= 100 – moisture
Crude fiber in dry matter (%)= crude fiber / dry matter x 100
Energy digestibility coefficient (ED %) = 87.9 − (0.88 × crude fiber in dry matter)

Step 4: Calculation of the Digestible Energy (DE)

Calculate Digestible Energy (DE) by applying the energy digestibility coefficient from Step 3 to your GE from Step 2.
DE (kcal/100g) = GE × ED / 100

Step 5: Calculation of the Metabolizable Energy (ME)

Finally, get the Metabolizable Energy (ME) using the DE you calculated in Step 4:
ME (kcal/100g) = DE − (0.77× crude protein)

Why values can differ (different formulas)

Don’t fret if the calculated calories are not the same as on the label – there are different formulas for getting the calorie value of pet foods. Why, you might ask: Formulas are the results of scientific studies. Imagine scientists watching a cat eating, drinking, peeing, and pooping, measuring everything that gets in and comes out. They then create formulas to approximate the results. Scientists tailor the formula to a specific quality of content. When you highly process your meat, it has a lower quality. Imagine the following process: The factory receives the meat content in your cat food frozen. They chop it into small chunks, blend it, steam/cook it, press it into form, dry it, cut it into pieces, steam it in sauce once more. Compared to meat that has been just frozen and chopped up, this meat is likely to have fewer nutrients.

Also meat can provide a cat with more energy than for example carrots. How useful a nutrient is for your cat’s metabolism to gain energy is already included in these formulas. The more research gets done, the more formulas there will be. We are sticking to the latest research that yielded the most accurate results with a formula that is based on calculating GE instead of measuring it (because consumers are not able to measure GE and we want to provide transparency to you).² If you rather stick to a convenient calculator, like apollofluffy’s, that’s fine too, it already includes a safety margin for your cat’s calories, so you don’t accidentally underfeed her.

The post The best formula to calculate energy in cat food appeared first on The Cat Edition.

The following table, is based on FEDIAF recommendations¹. Those are based on the National Research Council (NRC)² and independent research. Generally speaking, thousands of studies have been conducted to get to these numbers. Most if not all European pet food producers take them into account. Since TCE is seated in Germany, we use European guidelines instead of American’s, which would be based on AAFCO recommendations.

The FEDIAF recommends that cats weighing 4 kilograms or 8.8 pounds should intake the following amounts of calories based on their maintenance energy requirement (MER):

For 75 kcal/kg as the constant:
MER = 75×(4)^0.67 = 190 kcal/day

For 100 kcal/kg as the constant:
MER = 100×(4)^0.67 = 253 kcal/day

These are the basic amounts of minimum recommended calories per day for indoor and/or neutered cats (75 kcal/kg^0.67) and active cats (100 kcal/kg^0.67). The power of 0.67 is only there because the energy animals require decreases as the size of the animal increases. The calculator automatically adds a safety margin of about 12 % to this amount. So we ended up with a rounded 216 calories per day for the indoor/neutered cat and 284 calories per day for an active cat weighing 4 kilograms (8.8 pounds). Now it’s time for you to pick your cat’s ideal calories per day on the table based on her body weight.

Minimum daily calories needed for cats based on body weight

The amount of calories needed depends on your cat’s energy level, age, breed, size, weight and activity level. Healthy cats that grew up as kittens with wet food and not with a lack of food usually have developed a good feeling of satiety. They can often decide for themselves how much they want to eat. If they were active for a day, this can also lead to more food. Sick cats, or cats that can’t, need your help. If your cat still gains too much weight, use our formula or get help from a cat nutritionist. These are preferable to a veterinarian because of their specialized training.

If your cat is not overweight and healthy, rather feed her as much as she wants to eat! With a high-quality feed, lots of play-time, and daily usage of a scale there’s usually not much you can do wrong. Good monitoring is of importance here. You want to stay up to date with your cat’s body weight to adapt quickly.

Now that you know how many calories a day your fluffy friend needs you can learn more on how to compare calories of cat food.

The post How many calories does your cat need per day? appeared first on The Cat Edition.

Is it true that cat food contains sugar?

Yes there is sugar in cat food. Here is an interesting fact: ALL cat foods contain sugar, but not all contain added sugar and not all in the same amount. There are many varieties available that are formulated without added sugars but can still contain sugars through various ingredients. Sugars can still be present in the form of carbohydrates found naturally in certain ingredients like grains, vegetables, and fruits. For example, ingredients such as corn, peas, potatoes, and fruits like cranberries may contain natural sugars. These sugars may not typically be added, but are part of the overall carbohydrate content of the ingredients. Even though these natural sugars are present, they might not be listed as sugar on the ingredients list.

Small amounts of sugar in the form of glycogen, a form of stored glucose, may also be present in meat and muscle tissue. Glycogen serves as an energy reserve for the muscles and is broken down into glucose when needed. The amount of glycogen in meat varies depending on factors such as the animal’s diet, breed, and other physiological factors. However, the overall sugar content in meat is minimal compared to other food sources like fruits, vegetables, and grains.

Can cats taste sugar?

Cats cannot taste sugar as such. Due to their genes, they do not develop taste receptors for sweetness – unlike humans – which is why they are unable to perceive sweetness.⁴ While cats themselves do not have taste receptors specifically tuned to detect sweetness, they can still be attracted to certain flavors or ingredients that are associated with sweetness.

Why is sugar added in some cat foods?

When sugars or sweeteners are added to cat food, they can help balance or counteract any bitter flavors that may be present in certain ingredients. This can make the overall taste of the food more appealing to cats, even though they may not perceive sweetness in the same way humans do.

Some cat foods with sugars or sweeteners may have a more pleasing texture that cats enjoy. For example, wet cat foods with gravy or sauces may contain sugars or sweeteners to enhance texture and palatability. If sugar is heated in the food, it forms a brown color and roasted flavors. Without sugar, those cat foods would be much lighter or white. Some foods are fortified with carbohydrates in the form of starch to thicken the sauce. In dry food, sugar naturally occurs through the high amount of grains used. The amount is somewhere under 1% per 100g dry mass.¹

While cats may not taste sweetness, the inclusion of sugars or sweeteners in cat food can still have an effect on the overall taste perception. Sugars or sweeteners can provide a masking effect by creating a contrasting taste profile – or changing the taste profile of other ingredients – that helps to offset or diminish the perception of for example bitterness. It provides a contrasting flavor profile that may make the overall taste experience more pleasant.

Is sugar in cat food bad for my cat?

Sugar is not considered a necessary or beneficial component of a cat’s diet. In fact, excessive sugar consumption can be detrimental to a cat’s health. Here are a few reasons why sugar in cat food is bad:

Sugar destroys important amino acids

When sugar get heated it turns brown, this is called the Maillard reaction. It is a chemical reaction that occurs between amino acids and reducing sugars in the presence of heat. It’s named after French chemist Louis-Camille Maillard, who first described it in the early 20th century. This reaction is responsible for the browning and flavor changes that occur when foods are cooked. This can lead to changes in the composition of those amino acids and thus in the nutritional value of the proteins in the feed. In particular, the proportion of metabolically usable lysine in some foods may be reduced.² Lysine contributes to muscle building, good immune defense, and healthy growth.

Furthermore, there can also be a reduction in the bioavailability of taurine in the food, as the Maillard reaction promotes a gut flora that facilitates the degradation of taurine and decreases the recycling of taurine via the enterohepatic pathway (intestinal-liver circulation).³ Taurine is a very important, vital amino acid for your cat.

Sugar does not cause caries. But it’s still bad for your cat’s teeth and dental hygiene.

First we have to clear up a rumor: Cats do not get dental caries like humans. Their oral environment differ from humans, and they do not develop cavities in the same way. The structure and composition of cat teeth play a significant role in their resistance to dental caries. The enamel of cat teeth is denser and more resistant to acid erosion compared to human enamel. They can suffer from FORL (feline odontoclastic resorptive lesion), a painful and common condition often mistaken for caries or referred to as cat caries. However, this disease is not caused by sugar but rather is an autoimmune condition.

But cats can suffer from other dental issues such as periodontal disease, gingivitis, and tooth resorption. These conditions can be influenced by factors such as diet, genetics, and oral hygiene practices. The bacteria in a cat’s mouth can feed on sugars, producing acids that can lead to other dental problems.

While sugar may not be directly responsible it is a potential risk associated with oral health. It’s more pertinent to emphasize that sugars in a cat’s diet can contribute to dental problems like plaque formation and gingivitis rather than dental caries.

Cats can not use sugar or other carbohydrates

We humans know carbohydrates and sugar mainly as sources of energy. For cats, however, things are different: Cats’ bodies, and therefore their digestion, are adapted to completely different eating habits. They obtain energy from animal proteins. They do not need to consume carbohydrates through cat food. Dry food is particularly bad because it requires additional carbohydrates in order to be baked into shape. We are talking about up to 50% carbohydrates here!⁵

Cats have a limited ability to digest sugar and other carbohydrates

While they can absorb glucose (a simple sugar) slowly, the processing of highly sugary food results in an increase in blood sugar levels and sugar content in the urine. Compared to dogs, this digestive process is much slower in cats. Interestingly, cats have low activity of the enzymes needed to digest starch and certain sugars, which limits their ability to effectively utilize carbohydrates.⁷

Like all mammals, the cat brain is powered by glucose. However, cats also derive glucose from protein. Therefore, all dietary components that can be broken down into glucose, sucrose, fructose, or lactose are unnecessary and, in the worst case, harmful. Most cat lovers know that lactose can cause diarrhea. But too much sugar, namely 36% of the dry mass, can also cause diarrhea in a cat. Fortunately, no commercially available cat food contains this much sugar.

What few know:

Her digestion adapts to her diet. This means that if a cat consumes more carbohydrates, her body will extract glucose from these, not just from proteins. However, this requires that the cat receives a minimum amount of protein. Although cats can use starch as a source of metabolizable energy, their ability to down-regulate protein utilization is limited.⁶

Incidentally, cats have no amylase in their saliva, which is the enzyme that in humans pre-digests bread in the mouth to such an extent that we can taste the sweetness of the sugar in it. In cats, it is mainly found in the small intestine.⁶

Does sugar cause diabetes or obesity in cats?

The causes of both diabetes mellitus and obesity in cats are not fully understood, but the increased blood sugar in the blood mentioned above is something that no cat needs. So why take the risk? If we look at the natural prey of cats and their wild ancestors, it quickly becomes clear that this consists mainly of small animals, i.e. meat.

While we know that humans can develop obesity if they consume too much sugar regularly, there is not enough scientific research on the consequences of long-term high-carbohydrate or high-sugar wet or dry cat food.⁷

Cancer risk due to sugar in cat food

The Maillard reaction mentioned above produces by-products such as hydroxymethylfurfural. Studies have predominantly reported negative effects on human health, for example, HMF is harmful to mucous membranes, skin, and respiratory tract, can cause mutations, damage chromosomes, and cause cancer in humans and animals.⁸ The average intake of hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in commercial cat food is 38 times higher than in adult humans.⁹

With all the risks, why are sugar and carbohydrates still present in cat food?

Firstly carbohydrates and sugar are cheaper than animal protein, which is how pet food manufacturers maximize their profits. Secondly, sugar is used to supplement cheep food to smell and look better to us humans. It is up to each individual to decide whether a low price, high availability, and roasted aromas justify the risks mentioned.

High-quality cat food contains no sugar

Our advice as cat lovers is that if your pet doesn’t need something essential for survival, it shouldn’t be in their food because we don’t think it’s worth the risk. Pets are dependent on their owners because they only eat what they are fed. That’s why investing in high-quality cat food without sugar is an easy decision.

You can check our Product Tests and Cat Food Reviews to find the best – sugar free – meal for your cat

We hope this article has answered your burning questions about sugar in cat food. Do you know someone who would benefit from this article? Then feel free to share it now.

The post Does cat food have sugar in it? appeared first on The Cat Edition.

What does food have to do with your cat’s coat?

When your cat chews food, the chemical digestion process starts, transforming the meal’s components into simpler forms. Here’s an overview of how a meal enters through the mouth and ends up in your cat’s fur and skin:

• Mouth: When your cat chews food, enzymes in the saliva start breaking it down. This prepares it for further digestion.
• Stomach: Stomach acids and enzymes like pepsin and lipase convert the food into a semi-liquid form. Known as chyme, this sets the stage for nutrient splitting and absorption in the small intestine.
• Small intestine: Digestive juices from the pancreas and other sources take over, continuing the breakdown process.
  • Proteins are split into individual amino acids and dipeptides. Hair contains over 90% protein and constantly regrows along with the skin. Thus, about one-third of the proteins your cat consumes go toward maintenance and regrowth.
  • Fats are converted into monoglycerides, diglycerides, glycerol, and free fatty acids (FFAs).
  • Carbohydrates are simplified into sugars like glucose, fructose, and galactose. They deliver energy for your cat’s metabolism.
  • The inner lining of the small intestine has tiny hair-like projections, called villi. These absorb simplified nutrients like amino acids, simple sugars, and fatty acids into the bloodstream.
• Large intestine: Here, the body absorbs the most overlooked nutrient, water, aiding in hydrating your cat’s skin.¹

In short, the main part of the work to get nutrients broken down is happening in the small intestine. Here, they move into the lining. Then they enter the bloodstream and travel to areas where needed, including your cat’s skin and coat. Now, let’s delve into the essential nutrients responsible for constructing your feline friend’s hair and skin.

Which nutrients build cat hair and skin?

Your cat’s hair consists of almost only protein while her skin is made of both, proteins and fats. This intricate composition is nourished by the nutrient-enriched blood from the small intestine. Through its journey into the dermis, it supplies the epidermis through its network of blood vessels.

• Amino acids become the building blocks for keratin, a protein produced by specialized cells called keratinocytes. This keratin is the primary component of hair and skin and is essential for their structure. Keratin production is particularly critical in the epidermis and skin appendages, like hair follicles.
• Fatty acids, especially linoleic and arachidonic acid, nourish the epidermis by contributing to the health of the cell membrane. They not only protect the skin cells but also help in retaining moisture, providing a natural glow to the skin and hair. These fatty acids also influence the composition of sebum secreted by oil glands, contributing to a healthy, shiny coat.
• Carbohydrates provide the energy required for these cellular processes. They are particularly vital for maintaining the metabolic activities in the dermis, which is rich in blood vessels responsible for nutrient supply.
• Water hydrates the skin and fur. It is particularly crucial for the epidermis, where it helps maintain the skin’s barrier function, and the subcutis, where it contributes to the overall health of this innermost layer.¹

This intricate relationship between various nutrients and skin layers demonstrates the essential role that diet plays in maintaining your cat’s radiant appearance. But there’s still more to learn.

Vitamins, minerals, and trace elements

Beyond the mentioned macronutrients, your cat also needs a balanced intake of essential micronutrients. Each of these contributes in a unique way to the health of her skin and coat. We will break down these crucial micronutrients into their respective categories for a better understanding of their individual meaning for your furry friend’s appearance.

The roles of vitamins

• Vitamin A: Known for its role in vision, this vitamin also contributes to skin health by promoting cell growth and differentiation. It is particularly vital for the epidermis, where it aids in the regeneration of skin cells. A deficiency or excess can result in hair loss, poor coat condition, hyperkeratinization of the epidermis and hair follicles, skin lesions, scaling of the skin, and increased susceptibility to secondary bacterial infections of the skin.
• B Vitamins: These vitamins, including Biotin (B7) and Riboflavin (B2), are essential for the health of skin and fur. They are especially important for the dermis, where they help in metabolic activities, and contribute to the natural shine of your cat’s coat. Deficiencies can lead to dry skin, hair loss, a dull coat, and dermatitis.
• Vitamin D: It ensures the efficient utilization of calcium and phosphorus in the dermis. In extreme cases of deficiency, one might expect an overall decline in health, which could indirectly affect the skin and fur.
• Vitamin E: This antioxidant vitamin is crucial for protecting skin membranes from oxidative damage. It is vital in the epidermis and dermis, where it helps in maintaining skin elasticity, and hydration, and supports the production of sebum, the natural oil that keeps the skin moisturized and the coat shiny.

Importance of minerals and trace elements

• Zinc: A mineral important for the metabolism of cells, their division, and the synthesis of fatty acids. It supports wound healing and maintains the structural integrity of skin and hair follicles. The highest concentration of zinc is found in the basal (innermost) layer of the epidermis.
• Calcium and Phosphorus: These minerals support cellular activities like cell differentiation throughout the skin layers.
• Selenium and Copper: These trace elements work as antioxidant enzymes protecting the skin from free radical damage. Selenium supports sebum production while copper contributes to the strength and flexibility of hair. Furthermore, it converts tyrosine to the pigment melanin, and participates in the creation of tissue.¹

How to ensure your cat gets all nutrients needed for shiny fur

Manufacturers usually formulate commercial cat foods to meet the standards set by pet food associations, like the American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), for the minimum nutrient levels required for adult cats. This ensures they contain adequate levels of proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. To be able to meet those guidelines, manufacturers work with veterinary nutritionists and researchers to continually improve formulas based on the latest updates to feline nutrition guidelines. However, it’s crucial to note that not all commercial cat foods are of the same quality.

The importance of quality protein in your cat’s diet

High-quality proteins are “highly digestible and contain all of the essential amino acids”¹. These are crucial for the synthesis of keratin, the primary protein in your cat’s skin and fur. “Highly digestible” means your cat can absorb protein easily, meeting her amino acid needs without extra food. In contrast, lower-quality proteins often lack a complete amino acid profile. As a result, your cat may need to consume more of her sustenance to meet her nutritional requirements, which can lead to obesity and stress, especially in older cats. To ensure that your cat receives a well-rounded array of nutrients, it’s beneficial to incorporate a diverse selection of top-notch foods in her diet. Including a variety of different high-quality foods in your cat’s diet not only exposes her to different ranges of nutrients but also lowers the risks of relying solely on one source of possibly low-quality protein.¹

Additional factors that make a balanced cat food

• Nutrient integrity: Lower-quality foods are typically processed at high temperatures, which can degrade the nutritional value of the original ingredients. High-quality foods often use gentle cooking methods to preserve the nutritional integrity of the ingredients. This ensures that your cat benefits from the full range of nutrients contained in the food, promoting optimal skin and fur health.
• Adequate hydration from wet food: Only wet food offers the moisture necessary to keep your cat well-hydrated, which is essential for maintaining healthy skin and coat as well as overall well-being. Dry food does not provide sufficient moisture to keep your cat adequately hydrated. Lack of proper hydration can lead to skin and coat issues, as well as increase the risk of urinary tract problems.¹

By opting for high-quality wet food, you are far more likely to provide your feline friend with the essential nutrients required to keep her looking and feeling her best. We hope you find these insights about your kitty’s metabolism valuable and inspiring. If you did, share this article with your friends! By spreading knowledge and support, we can make a positive difference in the lives of our beloved cats!

The post How to make your cat’s coat shine appeared first on The Cat Edition.

1. What food your little cat needs
2. How often your kitten should eat

Please note that you should always consult your vet regularly to assess your cat’s growth. For nutrition-specific questions, you should then consult a cat nutritionist. The nutritional needs of cats can vary depending on age, size, body weight, breed, and health status. Numerical information regarding nutrition is very theoretical and should be considered as a basis for individual adaptation to your little furball. Also, monitor the weight and activity to ensure that you can answer your vet’s questions appropriately.

Kittens need more calories than adult cats

Since kittens grow quickly, it’s important that their food covers their high-calorie needs for healthy development. Did you know that kittens need up to three times as many calories per kilogram of body weight as adult cats? This means they can even consume the same amount of calories per day as an adult cat. Because of this much higher energy requirement, the rules for the amount of food that normally apply to adult cats are irrelevant to them. They should basically get as much food as they can eat. Experienced kitten parents often confirm that a plump belly is an indicator of health.

Important aspects of cat nutrition

The fact that a healthy kitten can be a little fat may not necessarily help you. To determine the right amount of food for your little cat, we first need to deal with the basics of cat food. Simply put, low-quality food does not provide the optimal amounts of nutrients for cats. It should always be high in animal protein as that is closest to the cat’s natural prey. If you ask a reputable cat food manufacturer about the difference between kitten and adult food, they will probably mention higher protein and fat content in kitten food. But you can be skeptical here.

The problem with “kitten” food

The thing is, every cat food should contain the same amount of these nutrients (if you’re wondering what’s optimal, you should take a look at this high-quality ragout we tested). How come? Remember: In the wild, cat mothers start bringing prey to their little ones from 8 to 10 weeks old! Whether young or old, every wild cat ultimately feeds on small animals and insects. Why should there be differences in nutrients? In fact, there aren’t, except for the enormous calorie and nutrient needs of newborn kittens that only mother’s milk can cover. After weaning, the amount of food depends on the hunting success and kittens eat the same as their mother. Therefore, young cats should only be given away from the nursery from 12 weeks onwards.

What is the right amount of food for a kitten per day?

How many calories a kitten needs depends on its age and thus its current weight. A good guideline is this rule: The age of your cat in months equals the body weight in pounds. For example, a 2-month-old kitten weighs an average of 2 pounds, which is about 0.9 kilograms when converted (1 lbs equals 0.45 kg). Now we just need to find the recommended amount of calories.

Here’s how you could determine the right amount of calories per day for your kitten:

• Your baby cat is less than 4 months or 16 weeks old: 250 kcal per kg of body weight
• Your young cat is between 4 and 6 months or 16 weeks and 24 weeks old: 115 kcal (100 – 130 kcal per kg) of body weight
• Older than 6 months: 75 kcal (70kcal – 80kcal) per kg of body weight

These figures are only averages – the right calorie amount depends on other factors such as activity, health, and actual weight of your cat.

Did you notice something? Yes, cats need fewer calories the older they get. But don’t confuse this with the nutrient content of the food. There is an open discussion about whether less or more protein is beneficial for the different stages of a cat’s life. That’s why it’s important to seek advice from a cat nutrition expert. Don’t worry, many have successfully raised kittens – and you will too!¹

How often should a kitten eat?

This depends on your own schedule, but an easy-to-handle guideline is 4 to 6 times a day. The more often, the closer to nature. Why so many times? Wild cat moms feed their offspring many times a day with prey. Not just with mice, but we’ll take them as an example:

A typical mouse provides about 30 calories. An eight-week-old kitten needs an average of 225kcal per day – that’s 7.5 mice! If you start pondering now, you’re on the right track. Think back to our section on the amount of food – doesn’t it make total sense to feed such small cats more often? Imagine packing all these calories into just two meals – that would be a real challenge for any mammal. If you orient yourself to nature, you can feed up to 10 times a day!² If you’re working and don’t have all day to feed kittens, just try at least four times a day and add as many additional portions as possible.

The easy alternative to calorie counting

Make sure your kitten always has enough food – hunger can lead to behavioral problems like aggression.³ If you let a kitten eat as much as it wants from birth, it quickly learns to stop once it’s full. It also recognizes that there’s always enough food available, which prevents gulping and food envy. You should feed your kitten whenever it’s hungry. This way, you also avoid the “It’s 8:00 AM, I want something to eat” behavior. (This works for working people too! A cat sleeps 16 hours a day and adjusts to the rhythm of her owners.) Over her lifetime, the cat then always eats only as much as she needs. Counting calories is not necessary, provided the food is of high quality.

Should your cat have free access to food?

At first glance, it may seem like your cat baby can feast to its heart’s content from a constantly filled food bowl. But beware, there is a risk factor – and it’s not the amount of food! The risk would be to give food that is not optimal for cats. Most people use “free” feeding dry food because it is practical and lasts longer than wet food.

The problem with dry food

One of the biggest disadvantages of dry food is its low moisture content compared to the natural prey of cats. Dry food has a moisture content of only about 10%, while wet food usually has a moisture content of over 70%, which is close to what cats actually eat in nature.⁴ Wet food can spoil faster, which can lead to potential waste if you put large amounts available for free in the bowl.

The best way to feed cats

To promote the health of your cat’s bladder and kidneys, it is important to avoid dry food as main meal. Instead, we suggest a modified approach to free feeding with wet food. Simply place small portions of wet food in the bowl, rinsing and refilling it every few hours to prevent spoilage. Typically, cats have a sleep cycle that includes a long rest period during the day, often when their owners are at work. During this time, they are less likely to visit the food bowl. This makes this method of feeding practical even for households where people are away during the day, such as those not working from home. Our recommendation is, therefore, to give wet food as often as possible – as explained under “How often should a kitten eat”.

But I don’t know how many calories are in cat food!

On every can of cat food there is a label that lists the content of crude protein, crude fat, crude ash, crude fiber, and moisture. Based on these nutrients, you can calculate the carbohydrates and calories (in some countries, like the USA, the calories are already on the label). Fortunately, there are calculators on several websites that we can use. Try https://apollofluffycat.com/en/cat-food-calculator/. We take Dynasty Emperor Chicken (13.4 ounces in a can), here the calorie content per ounce is 26.4kcal. For our 2 months or 8 weeks old baby cat, we need 8.5 ounces of food on average per day. For the right amount of food, you need to divide the portions into as many meals as you can distribute daily. Varying the types of food is key, so take our example only as a suggestion – because kittens need variety for a balanced diet.

Fun Fact: Not even the calorie count is a perfect guideline because you can’t know how your pet will metabolize the food. For this, researchers usually use a measure called Metabolizable Energy (ME). But as we said: When it comes to kittens, it can’t hurt to serve them many small meals a day and just let them munch away. A healthy cat will naturally adjust her eating habits over time. If you notice that more and more food is being left in the bowl, you can start reducing the amount and put less in next time. The perfect amount is when your cat has finished eating and declines a second helping, choosing to go to bed instead. This gradual approach allows your kitten to grow into its adult feeding routine at its own pace, without the need for strict guidelines or timelines.

Worried owner thought the kitten with the bloated belly was sick, but it was just fat

worldofbuzz.com

Conclusion

The likelihood of overfeeding a kitten is close to zero. Kittens need a lot of food to grow, so they can look a bit chubby. As long as the belly feels soft and pliable, this is completely healthy and exactly what you should aim for. Apart from that, kittens are like little children, no two are alike! If in doubt, don’t waste time – just ask your vet, who will be happy to help. If you’ve heard something about kitten nutrition from your vet that doesn’t match what you’ve just read, you can just ask us. We at The Cat Edition do our best to keep our knowledge up to date and draw from various organizations, independent cat lovers, and universities to provide you with the best possible information.

The post The right amount of food for your cat at any age appeared first on The Cat Edition.

In case you’re curious, you can check out our criteria page to find out exactly we concluded this rating.

Composition – Tiki Cat Succulent Chicken Luau is good but you’ll need more variety

Tiki Cat’s Luau features chicken as its primary ingredient and only protein source (mono-protein). The dry matter containing a substantial protein content of around 80%. However, we are concerned about the lack of ingredient percentages, as transparency is crucial. On the plus side, the moisture content of 80% aligns with expectations for wet food, promoting hydration.

The food contains sunflower oil, a source of omega fatty acids. But cats, as obligate carnivores, can’t efficiently convert linoleic acid (LA, Omega-6) from plant oils into arachidonic acid (ARA, Omega-6). Therefore, fish oil would be a better choice than sunflower oil as it provides not only ARA but also other Omega-3 fatty acids. We would definitely recommend adding some variety with feeds that feature fish oils, duck, or innards. Another positive aspect is that the ingredient list does not hint towards using any kind of thickener, filler, or sugar. The smell is pretty neutral, and the texture looks like you’d expect from shredded chicken in broth. We’d love some filet pieces for tooth hygiene, though.

Declaration – why not be fully transparent?

The product’s ingredient list is clear, but unfortunately, there are no percentages so it’s hard for consumers to check for nutrient contents. Taurine and choline chloride, which are beneficial to cats’ health, are specifically mentioned. The lack of a fiber source might not be detrimental since cats need a high protein diet, but a small amount of fiber can aid in digestion. It’s also closer to the composition of natural prey which usually has a tiny amount of fiber in their stomachs.

Despite the feeding recommendation on the 2.8 oz. cans being a bit too low, everything seems in order and clear. The one on the 6 oz. can is in line with the daily needs of cats. The feeding recommendation on the 10-ounce can could be clearer. It says to feed 3/4 cans per day per 7 lbs body weight. It would be helpful to split up the groups of body weight into more parts and show a table. To have the cat owner calculate how much food to give your cat is a bit much. The amount recommended is totally fine. But the note to always have fresh water available for your cat and whether this is a complete or supplementary feed is missing.

3. Nutritional levels and balance – On target for a wet food

The minimum crude protein content is 16%, which is suitable for cats. The fat content of 2.6% is reasonable, and there’s lots of moisture for our feline desert descendants. The NFE content is very low with approx. under 1%. There’s 1% of taurine in the dry mass which is more than enough. Unfortunately, none of the amounts of additives for trace elements are disclosed, which we’ll penalize. The same goes for the minerals – calcium and phosphorus should definitely be disclosed because how much of those and how big their ratio is is very important for balanced cat food. And, sadly, the amounts of vitamin supplements are not mentioned either, which, again, makes Tiki Cat Luau lose a point. Lastly, the disclosure of whether their food is cooked separately is not provided. However, given the absence of vegetable content, there is not much to separate.

4. Consumer transparency – little information

We found some content on Tiki’s website that raised questions about their communication. They mention “minimally processed” food but do not directly state that their food falls into this category. Instead, they explain what that means: “Natural nutrients in the ingredients are retained throughout the preparation process”, and then just say “you can usually tell if the product is high quality and minimally processed. See Tiki Pet’s food for yourself below”¹. They then included a video on the same page – a video that has been set to private – leaving open whether or not their products are manufactured in this way that preserves nutrients.

On their FAQ page, they write “Chicken Luau contains natural flavors from Salmon and Chicken”². Yet, no flavor is listed in the ingredients on the Succulent Chicken Luau can label. This discrepancy leaves us wondering if this is the product they were referring to. To date, we have not come across any other “chicken-only” recipe-based feeds from Tiki Cat.

We deduct one point for the inconsistencies in the provided information and the questionable communication regarding the manufacturing process. Apart from these concerns, we found no other issues to raise.

Tiki Cat Succulent Chicken Luau – a mixed picture

Supporting shelters, but lacking animal protection efforts

We found Tiki Pets made a food donation worth $ 750,000 of food to U.S shelters in 2020.³ However, we were unable to find any evidence of sponsorships, voluntary work, or community engagement from the brand. The lack of information regarding the living conditions of animals used in Tiki Cat’s food raises some concerns, as transparency in this area is typically an indicator of responsible sourcing.

One aspect of Tiki Cat that we find concerning is their inclusion of a lamb variant. We believe that every animal, even those used for food, should grow up in favorable living conditions. We were unable to find a definitive statement from Tiki Pets regarding their stance on animal testing. This is a matter of concern for us. Lastly, it is worth mentioning that tin cans are predominantly recyclable.

Claims of Sustainable Fish Sourcing

The brand claims that the “raw materials” they use are sourced from sustainable origins. According to their statements, Thailand, where its fisheries are located, is recognized for its robust fishing industry and stringent regulations. They assert that their fisheries are members of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) and actively support initiatives to protect marine environments from pollution and damage. Tiki Cat states that their fisheries hold certification from the International Dolphin Conservation Program. Although it should be noted that this certification specifically applies to Tuna. They also assert that their methods prioritize the preservation of other species, including sea turtles.⁴

Ambiguity in Size and Organizational Culture

In terms of the brand’s size, our research suggests that Tiki Pets has an employee count ranging from 11 to 50, although it appears to be part of Whitebridge Pet Brands, which employs between 200 and 500 people. We were unable to find any indications of an explicitly passionate team or a clear mission statement.

Price/performance – upper mid-range

Our 4 kg (8.8 lbs) neutered indoor cat needs 213 kcal per day which she will get from 268 grams (9.5 ounces) of this feed a day, costing $ 4.47 a day.

At the time of our review, there were only two options of this variant available on Amazon.com, which were a pack of 12 2.8-ounce cans and a pack of four 10-ounce cans. The bigger cans are much cheaper, costing $ 0.47 / ounce ($ 7.52 / lbs while the small cans cost $ 0.71 per ounce ($ 11.36 / lbs). On the best sellers page on Amazon wet cat food ranks from $ 0.12 per ounce (Friskies) to 0.92 per ounce (Purina). The slightly higher cost of this product can be justified when considering that many other U.S.-based brands incorporate fillers, starch, meals, and higher levels of carbohydrates into their products.

Tiki Cat Succulent Chicken Luau – Conclusion

Tiki Cat Luau Shredded Meat, Succulent Chicken Recipe in Chicken Consumme seems to provide high-quality animal protein and a beneficial moisture content for hydration. Transparency in terms of ingredients and nutritional information is commendable. The lack of Omega-3 fatty acids suited for obligate carnivors and the ambiguity of meat sources and living conditions of animals are areas for improvement. We recommend mixing different brands to make sure to feed your cat in a balanced way. As always, it’s advisable to consult with a vet for feeding guidelines tailored to your cat’s specific needs.

As part of our test of the mentioned cat food brand, we have reached out to the company to obtain more detailed information about their products. We will update this post as soon as we have additional information.

Our food tests are created independently and are not commissioned by the manufacturers. In order to still be able to feed our own cats, we use partner or affiliate links where we earn from qualified sales. We use the income to be able to continue to present you with up-to-date information of the best quality.

The post Tiki Cat Succulent Chicken Luau Review appeared first on The Cat Edition.

If you’re curious, you can check out our criteria page to find out exactly how the rating was arrived at.

1. The Blue Wilderness chicken dry food composition – we have a lot to point out

The declaration of crude ash is not mandatory for American cat food, although some manufacturers may list it in the guaranteed analysis. In order to calculate anything, we’ll estimate an average of 6.5% of crude ash. Please consider this while checking out the price (caloric content) and the carbohydrate content / NFE. We’re unable to estimate how much of this product is meat as Blue Buffalo has not declared the percentage of any of the ingredients. In dry matter, this food contains about 44% proteins and 25% carbohydrates.

We noted that the only source of animal meat in this product is ‘deboned chicken,’ which is listed as the first ingredient. It’s somewhat surprising to find no offal included in this formulation, despite the rich nutritional value these animal organs can offer. For instance, liver is an excellent source of vitamin A, the heart is abundant in taurine, and kidneys are high in certain B vitamins. If such organ meats were included in the formulation, it could enhance the nutritional value of the food significantly and lessen the need for the additional supplementation of vitamins and minerals. Thus, we encourage the manufacturers to reconsider the product’s composition, potentially reducing the use of three different types of meals, tapioca starch, and dried egg product.

Blue Buffalo’s “Blue Wilderness” Chicken uses unnecessary ingredients

Like many kibble-based cat foods, this product contains a number of ingredients that cats simply don’t need. So settle in with a cup of coffee, as we’re about to dive into an extensive list:

Potatoes

The potato, as a member of the nightshade family, can pose risks to cats due to its content of potentially toxic substances like solanine, nicotine, lectins, and alkaloids. While cooking can reduce these toxins, it also decreases nutrient content. Furthermore, potatoes offer limited benefits to cats as they are rich in carbohydrates, which cats need only minimally and have difficulty processing effectively. The use of such ingredients in cat food doesn’t align with cats’ natural dietary requirements.

Legumes

Just like potatoes, legumes present similar problems in a cat’s diet. They can be harmful when raw and their high carbohydrate content is ill-suited for cats’ minimal carbohydrate needs. With their plant origins and the inevitable nutrient loss from extensive processing for kibble, legumes, too, clearly deviate from a cat’s natural dietary requirements.

• Peas and pea protein. As obligate carnivores, cats have a limited ability to utilize plant-based proteins. Consequently, pea protein, derived from legumes, does not provide essential dietary value for cats, marking it as unnecessary.
• Dehydrated alfalfa meal. Also known as lucerne, it’s valued for its high mineral content. However, the dehydration, grinding, and cooking processes required to incorporate it into cat food can significantly diminish these nutrients. Until there’s scientific evidence supporting the benefits of adding prebiotics to a healthy cat’s diet, the additional fiber content from alfalfa meal is considered unnecessary. Thus, dehydrated alfalfa meal primarily serves as a filler ingredient and is not beneficial for your cat’s well-being.

Natural Flavor

While this might make the food more palatable for cats, it doesn’t provide any nutritional benefits. The specific source of the flavor is also important to consider.

Dried chicory root, salt, sweet potatoes, carrots, vegetable juice for color, blueberries, cranberries, barley grass, parsley, turmeric, and dried kelp.

These ingredients primarily serve as sources of fiber or color. While they may have some nutritional value, they are not essential for cats who are carnivores.

Yucca Schidigera Extract

This is often used to control the odor of cat feces and urine but doesn’t provide significant nutritional value for cats.

Dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, Dried Aspergillus niger fermentation extract, Dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, Dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation extract.

These are all sources of probiotics, which can aid in digestion. The benefits of probiotics for cats are still being studied and their inclusion in cat food is not necessary.

Plant-based oils

Flaxseed oil and oil of rosemary are both plant-based oils, and as such, they contain types of fats that cats can’t utilize as effectively as animal fats.

• Flaxseed oil is high in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a type of omega-3 fatty acid. While ALA is beneficial for humans and some animals, cats cannot efficiently convert ALA to the forms of omega-3 fatty acids that they can use more effectively, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These latter two forms are found in animal sources, particularly fish.
• Rosemary oil is often used in pet foods as a natural preservative and to provide flavor. While it’s generally considered safe in small amounts, it doesn’t provide substantial nutritional value in the form of fats.

The aroma of this food bears the characteristic scent of typical kibble cat food. It differs from the aroma of human-grade food. As for the texture, it adheres to the standard kibble consistency, lacking any discernible pieces of filet that could provide abrasive action for your cat’s teeth.

2. Declaration – exact naming, missing percentages

Missing percentages of ingredients

While the list of ingredients provided is exhaustive, the lack of any percentages listed creates a challenge in accurately determining the proportions. This lack of transparency raises concerns regarding the overall quality of the feed. When a manufacturer has nothing to hide, they can list all ingredients with their respective percentages. This allows you to make more informed decisions based on the complete picture of what the product contains.

Without specific percentages, we can only make rough estimates of ingredient proportions based on their order in the list. It is reasonable to assume that the first three ingredients contribute the most to the protein content. Therefore the pea protein will likely comprising a significant portion, ranging from one-fourth to one-third of the overall protein content.

However, the absence of precise percentages makes it difficult to determine the true composition of this dry food. This lack of transparency is not indicative of the highest quality standards, even though deboned chicken meat is considered high-quality protein. We would recommend seeking brands that provide comprehensive ingredient information, including specific percentages on their packaging and their product’s website. This way, you can have a clearer understanding of the nutritional profile and make informed decisions.

Feeding recommendation – good, but could be clearer

The listed feeding recommendation for Blue Wilderness is ¼ – ½ cup for cats weighing 5 to 9 lbs (2.3 kg to 4.1 kg), using an 8-oz. measuring cup. Our 4 kg neutered indoor cat needs approximately 212.65 kcal a day, meaning she should eat 57.3 grams of this feed (considering 6.5% crude ash content). If we consider the caloric content provided as 443 kilocalories per cup, we can divide the daily caloric requirement of our cat by the caloric content per cup to estimate the number of cups needed:

212.65 kcal / 443 kcals/cup = 0.48 cups per day

According to this calculation, the feeding recommendation aligns with our cat’s caloric needs. It may appear to be close to the upper limit of ½ cup. But the calculator includes a slight additional “safety” kcal requirement to reduce the chances of underestimating your cat’s calorie needs.

This recommendation could be clearer by splitting the table into more parts. The span of 5 to 9 lbs body weight and ¼ – ½ cup is a little too loose. The specification of whether this cat food is a complete food or a supplementary food is missing.

Please keep in mind that these calculations are based on general estimates. Using a calculator to estimate how much food to give to your cat should be considered as a starting point. Take into account your cat’s specific factors such as age, breed, size, weight, activity level, and overall health. Additionally, whether your cat is neutered or not can also influence their caloric needs. Consult with a cat nutritionist to determine the optimal feeding amount and to tailor it to your cat’s individual requirements.

3. Nutritional levels and balance – hard to tell

Too much NFE content

The NFE content we calculated with the estimated 6.5% ash results in a whopping 22.5%! That’s too much, whether we consider 2% ash (27% NFE) or 8% ash (21% NFE). And if we look at the NFE content for the dry mass, it jumps to 24.7%, which is way over the 10% maximum we think it should be. The list of ingredients does not justify the assumption that the NFE contained are mostly of animal origin (muscle meat and liver glycogen can add quite a lot to the NFE count).

Lack of nutrient transparency

Blue Buffalo fails to specify the quantities of most trace elements, minerals, or vitamins included in their product. Although they have declared the amounts of magnesium and taurine – both in compliance with AAFCO and FEDIAF guidelines – a comprehensive declaration of nutrients like calcium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, potassium, sodium, iodine, and specific vitamins would enhance transparency.

You may find our approach a tad stringent, but we do subtract one point for each category missing amounts. Simply because we have no way of estimating them. We strive for thoroughness in our review, even if it means deducting points for undisclosed information. After all, transparency is key when it comes to evaluating the quality of cat food.

Blue Buffalo’s “LifeSource Bits”

Last but not least, the trademarked “LifeSource Bits” contain a “precise blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants”. They’re created using a “cold-formed” process to help retain all beneficial elements, despite the high processing everything else. This is a bit like cooking these components separately to make sure your cat gets all the necessary nutrients.

4. Blue Buffalo’s consumer transparency is questionable at best

Misleading claims about the type of production

The brand’s advertising for their dry extruded cat food, which touts “FORMULATED WITH THE FINEST NATURAL INGREDIENTS,” is potentially misleading. While it implies the use of high-quality, natural ingredients, the product mainly consists of processed components, including dried, cooked, and ground ingredients, various meals, and fibers. The extensive processing this food undergoes, including the dry extrusion process, often involves high temperatures that can affect the nutritional value of the ingredients. Consequently, the claim of using the “finest natural ingredients” does not accurately reflect the product’s actual composition, potentially leading consumers astray, particularly those seeking truly natural cat food options.

Unconvincing ingredient list & advertising

While Blue Buffalo avoids “chicken/poultry by-product meal”, its use of chicken meal as a second ingredient raises eyebrows. Furthermore, the brand’s assurance of “No artificial flavor” is questionable when the ingredient list discloses the addition of “natural flavor”. The requirement for any added flavor, be it natural or artificial, puts the overall quality of the cat food into perspective.

Legumes and soy – a transparency issue

Blue Buffalo’s advertisement stating “no soy” but them using peas makes us wonder about the transparency of the production process. While peas are not allergenic, they are still considered legumes and fall under the category of plant-based ingredients. Emphasizing the absence of soy while incorporating other legumes as the third ingredient on the ingredient list, makes us wonder about the overall accuracy of their claims.

Health benefits of ingredients – unsubstantiated

Blue Buffalo’s claim that their cat food, containing vegetables and fruits like blueberries, cranberries, and potatoes, provides specific health benefits isn’t backed by robust scientific evidence. Interestingly, they supplement the same vitamins and minerals that these ingredients are claimed to provide (vitamins A, C, E, B vitamins, potassium, manganese). The brand’s statement on the health benefits of prebiotic fiber and antioxidants for healthy pets (including cats) is equally unsupported scientifically. This raises concerns about the validity of Blue Buffalo’s communication.

Ingredient amounts – a missing element

Once again, we are unable to discern if any ingredients have been left out due to the lack of declaration regarding the ingredients’ amounts.

5. The Blue Buffalo Brand – size does matter

Mission and passion of employees

The fact that the brand has a high number of employees, specifically 1,700, indicates the scale and scope of its operations. In smaller companies, employees are more in alignment with the company’s mission and when providing cat food we value a certain moral. On the other hand, being a big corporation can aid to animal wellfare:

Blue Buffalo have sponsored multiple events or conferences regarding animal protection and rescue, like the Pet Cancer Awareness Program and the Wounded Warrior Amputee Football Team Tribute to Heroes Football Game. Also, they have donated food supplies to several organizations and raised millions of dollars for pet cancer research.^{1, 2}

Sourcing and living conditions of animals is potentially problematic

Blue Buffalo operates production facilities in two US locations – Joplin, MO and Richmond, IN. Yet, their description of using “carefully selected, globally sourced ingredients” lacks clarity regarding the specific origin of the meat in their products. This raises questions about whether the meat is sourced locally or imported, and what the living conditions for these animals might be. Many brands are explicit about their commitment to ensuring good living conditions for animals used in their pet food. Moreover, Blue Buffalo offers cat food variants containing lamb, a choice we find objectionable. We firmly believe that every animal deserves a decent upbringing, even if it’s destined to become pet food.

Unclear stance on animal testing from Blue Buffalo

Blue Buffalo asserts that they do not engage in, support, or sponsor studies that harm animals. Yet, they stop short of definitively saying “No, we do not do animal testing” as many other pet food manufacturers who reject animal testing outright do. This vagueness leaves us with questions about their testing procedures. Are they invasive? Do they restrict the animals’ living conditions, or even resort to force-feeding? Without clear information, it’s unsettling to speculate about the possibilities.

No “universal recycling symbol”

The absence of a recycling symbol suggests that the brand may not have a clear recycling program or a specific approach to ensuring the recyclability of its packaging materials. This could be a factor in evaluating their commitment to environmental sustainability and waste reduction. Funny they tell you, the potential dog owner, to “[c]hoose compostable poop bags over plastic.”!³

6. Price/performance – upper middle

Our 4 kg (8.8 lbs) neutered indoor cat will need about 213 kcal per day which is contained in 57.2 grams (2 oz) of Blue Buffalo’s chicken dry food. With $ 28.98 per 6 pounds this dry food brings us to a daily cost of feeding our cat of $ 0.61 per day. That’s an okay price, considering it costs $4.83 / lbs on Amazon, and shipping is free. Buying the 12 pound pack instead of the 6 pound one costs you about a dollar less per pound. On the first page of Amazon best selling dry foods you can find dry food between $ 1.36 (Meow Mix) and $ 7.50 (Orijen) per pound, so this product is only slightly pricier than the average diet. If you’re used to buying Iams, Friskies or Purina, this will definitely feel more costly.

Blue Buffalo Chicken Dry Food Review – Conclusion

While there’s no denying the financial power that comes with a brand of Blue Buffalo’s size, and their philanthropic contributions to American pets are commendable, certain aspects of their product line leave room for improvement. Specifically, the quality of their food and their attention to sustainability and animal welfare, particularly with respect to the animals sourced for their meat, could use additional scrutiny.

We believe that a shift in focus might benefit the company and its consumers. Perhaps they could consider investing in more sustainable and animal-friendly production methods.

As a general rule, we wouldn’t advise relying solely on dry food for your cat’s diet due to its lack of one essential nutrient: water. Nonetheless, we appreciate that Blue Buffalo includes real chicken meat as the primary ingredient, at least providing high-quality protein for our feline friends.

As part of our test of the mentioned cat food brand, we have reached out to the company to obtain more detailed information about their products. We will update this post as soon as we have additional information.

Our food tests are created independently and are not commissioned by the manufacturers. In order to still be able to feed our own cats, we use partner or affiliate links where we earn from qualified sales. We use the income to be able to continue to present you with up-to-date information of the best quality.

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