General Mills Cat Food Brands
Hopefully, by now youre seeing a trend.
We have major corporations that make junk food for humans. And theyre also making junk food for our cats.
General Mills, a cereal company, owns all Blue Buffalo products.
At this point, it should come as no surprise that a cereal manufacturing company also owns cat food companies.
Many of these products contain high amounts of cereals and grains.
Also, think about it like this
All companies say that their cat food is the best. But why are there so many brands within the same company?
If it was truly the best, they wouldnt need to create 7 different brands, right?
Blue Buffalo Freedom Indoor Wet Food For Adults
This Freedom line is Blue Buffalos wet food for indoor cats. It replaces the complex mix of meats found in the Wilderness Rocky Mountains line with meat from a single source, either chicken or fish, making it better for any cat with a sensitive digestive system. The food is also low in calories and high in protein, which makes it an excellent choice for weight management.
This formula also features additional added fiber to support digestion and prevent hairballs, but is also high in sweet potato fiber, which gives your cat no particular nutritional benefit.
Pros
Compare Best Wet Cat Food
Best Wet Cat Food For Picky Eaters
1. Smalls Fresh Smooth Bird |
| Made InUnited States |
Some foods promise to help cats with digestive sensitivities. Other foods offer a rare combination of great prices and excellent nutrition.
Though theyre different in many ways, all of them share certain key qualities. They come from companies with a reputation for safety and deliver species-appropriate levels of protein, fat, and carbohydrates.
Before we go in depth on the top 30 best wet cat foods on the market, lets talk about the qualities we looked for when choosing these products.
Read Also: Blue Buffalo Wilderness Indoor Cat Food
Diamond Naturals Cat Food Review 2022
Since your kitty is a cherished family member, you want their food to be top-shelf. Many manufacturers portray their cat foods as premium brands. However, company practices and product labels tell the real story.
In this Diamond Naturals cat food review, I address these two criteria. I also make buying recommendations, supported by research. After reading this post, youll know which varieties of Diamond Naturals are best-suited to your cutie.
Which Types Of Cats Might Do Better With A Different Brand
Blue Buffalo isnt the best choice for bargain hunters. There are quite a few less-expensive foods out there, some of which offer quite a bit of nutritional support.
Its also not ideal for pets with specific conditions . If your cat is suffering from a medical condition, you might be able to find foods that are designed to help alleviate it. Expect to pay more for them, though.
Younger cats may need more protein than Blue Buffalo provides in that case, wed recommend something like Orijen High-Protein, Grain-Free Dry Cat Food. Its loaded with meat .
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Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet K+m Kidney And Mobility Support Dry Food
Blue Buffalo offers a range of prescription foods for cats with more serious health needs. The one that offers the most difference from their standard brand is the variety for supporting kidney health and joint mobility.
As kidneys in bad shape can struggle to digest too much protein, this formula limits protein to 26%. However, it is all taken from the best chicken sources to ensure the protein they are getting is high quality. This does mean that the recipe uses pea and potato starch as filler. The recipe also limits phosphorus and sodium, other problem substances for cats with kidney issues.
Kidney problems are often accompanied by mobility issues, so this food is enhanced with DHA, glucosamine and chondroitin, all of which help support joint function and mobility.
Pros
- Contains peas and potato starch
Overall: Kidney Elixir
Blue Buffalo Warnings & Lawsuits
Before we detail the recall history for Blue Buffalo, we first want to alert readers to the fact that, in late , the U.S. Food and Drug Administration identified Blue Buffalo as one of 16 pet food brands that may be linked to heart disease in dogs and cats.
None of those 16 brands have been recalled as part of the agencys ongoing investigation, though. Most, but not all, of the pet foods are grain-free and/or dry dog food formulations.
The FDA says this is a complex scientific issue that may involve multiple factors, and that it cannot even be certain that diet is a cause of the heart problems. For full details, see our article on the subject.
We also want to point out that despite rumors, there has been no so-called Blue Buffalo lead recall. A lawsuit filed in claimed that 3 Blue Buffalo dog foods contained very high levels of lead, but the lawsuit was dismissed by a judge in 2018.
The company had this to say in response to the lead lawsuit:
Blue Buffalo strongly denies these allegations, which represent the unsubstantiated claims of one person, and have not been supported by any evidence or data.
More recently, in , the brand once again came under fire when a customer in New York sued Blue Buffalo for allegedly making her dog overweight and diabetic. Plaintiff Shannon Walton said she had been moved to buy Blue Buffalo dog food because the formula was strongly marketed as being inspired by a wolf diet.
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Which Types Of Cats Is Blue Buffalo Best Suited For
Its certainly not the most expensive food on the market, but Blue Buffalo finds itself on the higher end of the mass-market pet foods.
It can charge more money because it targets owners who care about their pets nutrition, even if it means paying more to do so.
That being said, there are definitely better foods out there they just happen to be harder to find and more expensive. As a result, Blue Buffalo offers a good mix of high-end nutrition and convenience for pet owners who want the best for their cat but are unwilling or unable to spend too much time giving it to them.
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Artificial Food Coloring Dyes
Blue Buffalo does not use any artificial food coloring dyes. According to our records, none of the 120 Blue Buffalo cat foods contain artificial food dyes.
Artificial food coloring dyes are unnecessary and potentially harmful ingredients. In general, we not not recommend feeding any pet foods that contain artificial dyes.
In 2010, the CSPI raised serious concerns regarding the safety of many artificial dyes. Most of the studies referenced by the CSPI involved prolonged or excessive consumption. Since most cats consume the same foods throughout their lives, concerns raised by the CSPI are alarming to say the least.
To read more about Artificial Food Dyes, .
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Blue Buffalo Unveils New Portfolio Of Wet Cat Food
- Pet Product News Staff
Blue Buffalo has launched Blue Tastefuls, a new portfolio of wet cat food designed to bring together taste and nutrition. More than 55 percent of cat owners feel they must choose between food that is good for their cat and food their cat enjoys, according to a recent study conducted by the natural pet food company.
At Blue Buffalo, we love our pets like family and feed them like family, said Elizabeth Fulmer, a product innovation lead at Blue Buffalo who led the development of Tastefuls. That means never compromising our high quality and nutrition standards while at the same time working tirelessly to ensure even the pickiest of cats love the delicious taste of our recipes. With the variety of recipes Tastefuls offers, there is a mouthwatering option perfect for every cats discerning palate.
Cat owners also reported changes in their four-legged friends behavior when they dont like their food, including their cat waging a hunger strike , exhibiting angry meowing or turning its bowl over . These mealtime protests can become a source of stress, according to officials, with more than half of cat owners saying they must change their cats food on occasion, frequently or have trouble finding food their cat enjoys.
Specific formulas include:
For more of PPN’s coverage on Blue Buffalo, read:
Im Reporting The Facts Based On These 4 Things:
1. Cat food manufacturer
Not just the brand. But who is actually MAKING the products.
2. AAFCO product name rules
AAFCO cat food label rules tell us the minimum and maximum amount of the named ingredients.
3. AAFCO ingredient definitions
AAFCO states that meat by-products can include 4D meats as long as the by-products are rendered.
Additionally, meat meals are rendered meats.
According to a CRS Report to Congress on animal rendering, rendered meats can include dead animals from feedlots, ranches, marketing barns, ANIMAL SHELTERS, and food waste from restaurants, groceries, and stores.
4. Guaranteed analysis
The NRC says that carbohydrates are not essential to the cats diet.
Unfortunately, AAFCO does not require carbohydrates on the guaranteed analysis.
So you must use a carb calculator and then convert to a dry matter basis to figure this out yourself.
If you dont understand these facts, you will not understand this article. I get many comments about this article. But remember, these are the facts.
Please educate yourself on AAFCO labeling requirements and definitions. And heavily research the manufacturer thats making your cats food .
I have an entire YouTube playlist dedicated to how to read cat food labels properly.
If you decide to change your cats food, check the bottom of the article to see what I recommend.
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Best For Senior Cats: Blue Buffalo W+u Weight Management + Urinary Care Wet Food
Key Ingredients: Chicken, chicken broth and liver, pea protein, potatoes, whitefish, carrots, cranberries | Calories per Serving: 68 | Balance: Crude Protein min. 8.5%, Crude Fat min. 2.5%, Crude Fiber max. 4%, Moisture max. 78% | Life Stage: Adult, senior | Texture: Paté
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Manages two problems with one food
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Grain-free
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Prescription required
Obesity can be a problem for senior kitties who become less active as they age, especially for indoor only cats and those with health problems that sap their energy or reduce their mobility. Since some urinary problems are more common in senior, overweight and/or obese cats, it makes sense to consider a food that provides ideal levels of fat, calories, and fiber to help your cat manage its weight as well as controlled mineral levels to keep urine pH lower to prevent crystal and stone formation.
Blue Buffalo W+U Weight Management and Urinary Care canned wet food is an excellent choice carried by many veterinarians. With chicken as the first ingredient, this food also has added plant fiber in the form of powdered cellulose so your cat will feel fuller despite being a lower calorie food. Levels of magnesium and sodium are controlled to promote balanced urinary pH.
Blue Buffalo reports that its science-based formulas are developed by a team of PhD animal nutritionists, food scientists, and veterinarians.
Blue Wilderness High Protein Dry Cat Food: Features
Blue Wilderness High Protein Dry Cat Food comes crammed full of natural ingredients to meet the changing needs of adult cats. High in protein and with real chicken as the first ingredient, the wholesome and balanced ingredient list has everything your cat needs to thrive.
Featuring Blues exclusive LifeSource Bits, a special blend of minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins that have been selected by nutritionists and veterinarians, this is a balanced kibble that supports a healthy diet and immune system. We love the impressive array of fruits and vegetables in this blend, including cranberries for urinary health and potassium-rich sweet potatoes to aid the removal of toxins from the body.
The inclusion of unique ingredients not found in many other brands also piqued our interest and are worth noting here. While specially designed kibbles, such as Royal Canin Hairball Care, do a great job of helping to sweep accumulated hair through the stomach and into the bowel for elimination, Blue Wilderness High Protein Dry Cat Food features barley grass and flaxseed, natural digestive aids that help prevent hairballs.
Youll also find plenty of Omega-3 fatty acids in this blend, great for maintaining a healthy heart and shiny coat, and Taurine for vision. It can also give the best wet cat food a run for its money with a high moisture content of 75% that makes it ideal if you have a feline who doesnt frequent their water bowl as often as youd like.
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Hill’s Prescription Diet Kidney Care Chicken & Veg Stew Flavor
This prescription canned food from Hill’s contains only 4% crude protein and is low in sodium, so it’s easier on the kidneys. Reviewers tend to marvel at the palatable attractive taste that intrigue their kitties, even ones who are notoriously finicky eaters.
That said, it’s not a guarantee to be a hit for all cats. If your vet recommends this formula though, it may be worth trying, especially because it’s been clinically tested and formulated.
- Pros: more affordable than many other options contains bite-sized morsels of real chicken meat enhanced with B vitamins and antioxidants
- Cons: some cats don’t like the taste and may not eat it
The 30 Best Healthy Wet Cat Foods
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After months researching, testing, and reviewing countless recipes, weve chosen the following 30 products as the best wet cat food you can buy.
At the top of our list is Smalls Chicken Recipe Wet Cat Food, a fresh food formula that features a prey-inspired blend of animal ingredients, including muscle meat, organs, and blood. Each of the following 30 products brings something different to your cats bowl.
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Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe
The Wilderness Chicken Recipe is one of Blue Buffalos flagship kibbles. Its inspired by the kinds of diets that wild cats eat, with the idea being that the closer you stay to what nature intended, the healthier your cat will be.
The first two ingredients are chicken and chicken meal, which help contribute to the high protein levels in this kibble. Chicken meal includes a variety of internal organs, so your cat will get all the important amino acids that they need without having to hunt down a bird themselves.
It also includes chicken fat and fish meal, both of which will boost the protein levels while adding important omega fatty acids.
The recipe is grain-free, so instead of ingredients like corn, youll see peas, potatoes, and tapioca starch. There are more carbs than wed like to see, but more troubling than that is the fact that it only has 18% fat. Thats a hair below what most vets recommend.
It has many ingredients that are nice to have but not necessary, like blueberries, kelp, and carrots. These add plenty of vitamins and minerals, but the most important thing is the amount of protein, which Wilderness Chicken Recipe has in spades.
Blue Buffalo Cat Food
Blue Buffalo provides cats of all life stages with a selection of meat-first dry and wet cat foods to satisfy their natural cravings for quality protein. The meat is complemented by a variety of other natural ingredients to provide antioxidants and other essential nutrients to keep your cat in tip-top shape.
Blue Buffalo also offers several grain-free and limited ingredient cat foods for more sensitive and picky eaters. Check out our selection of Blue Buffalo cat foods to find the right fit for your cat.
27 Items
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Best Wet Cat Food For Weight Loss
If your cat is struggling to lose weight, diet plays a big role. Your veterinarian may recommend switching to a wet cat food for weight loss to try to keep your cats calories regulated. Before starting your feline friend on a weight-loss food, make sure to discuss the change with your cats vet.
Here are our top picks for wet cat foods designed for weight loss.
Indoor cats tend to be less active than their outdoor counterparts, and if your indoor feline has packed on a few pounds, this food from Avoderm can help. It is made with lean protein sources including chickens and tuna to help cats stay trim. On the back of the cans, youll see feeding instructions for weight loss and also weight managementwhich makes it easy to figure out the right serving size. And we love the skin and coat-benefiting ingredients in this recipe as well. Rich avocados and avocado oil will keep your kittys coat soft and shiny. Its a win-win!
Highlights
- This is not a grain-free food.
- This is a pate-style food.
Discussion Of The Primary Ingredients
Every Blue Buffalo recipe starts with real meat. Its a simple thing, but its something that so many other manufacturers get wrong. Regardless of what else is in the bag or can, you know that your cat will at least have a solid foundation of protein to build on.
Theres usually a variety of protein sources in each food as well, so you can give your cat a wide array of important amino acids. That also ensures that your cat will get all the protein that they need to stay lean and healthy.
Carbs are always a tricky subject in cat food, and most Blue Buffalo foods are grain-free. Instead of problematic fillers like corn, youll find foods like sweet potatoes or peas.
It has a special kibble line that includes something called LifeSource Bits. These are the companys proprietary chunks of antioxidants and other nutrients that are mixed in with the regular kibble, giving your cat even more nutrition than theyd normally get.
Most of its foods have plenty of protein, but theyre a little light in the fat department. Many of its kibbles have somewhere between 15-20% fat, when many nutritionists recommend at least 24% fat content.
That could make your cat hungrier more often, which could be a problem if you let them free-feed. You might want to pick up the kibble and only serve them portion-controlled meals on a regular schedule.
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