Why Does A Guaranteed Analysis Matter
Protein and fat are crucial to your cats health the minimum percentage guarantees that the food will always have at least that amount.
Although both fiber and moisture are both helpful to a cats health, the maximum percentage signifies that it will not contain more than that amount, guaranteeing your cat food has the most critical ingredients.
So how do you know if your cat food contains too little or too much of the above components? Youll have to do some simple math to find the answer. Luckily, we have the equation to get you started!
First, you must know the dry matter content in your cat food. Youll find this amount under crude moisture. Please note that these equations work well with both dry and wet cat food.
100 Moisture Content = Dry Matter
Guaranteed Crude Protein ÷ Dry Matter Content x 100 = True Protein Content
Guaranteed Crude Fat ÷ Dry Matter Content x 100 = True Fat Content
Guaranteed Crude Fiber ÷ Dry Matter Content x 100 = True Fiber Content
Your cats protein and fat nutritional needs should fall in between the following percentages unless otherwise noted by your veterinarian.
Protein should be at least 26% .
Fat should be at least 9%.
What Customers Dont Like
The biggest complaint from cat owners comes down to cats simply not wanting to eat the food, which does seem to be a bigger issue for the wet food varieties. But again, its worth noting that there simply arent that many reviews so take everything with a grain of salt. Heres that pretty much sums that the general consensus from the my cat hates it crowd:
Wanted to buy my cats some really quality food, 4 cats, 4 days, weve got a major hunger strike going on, bought the canned and dry, went whole hog, not even the dogs will do more than sniff it and walk away, I may love the idea of it, but the cats say no.
While some cats are certainly picky , I also suspect that many cat owners arent properly switching their cat over to a new food. Ideally, you slowly transition your cat onto a new diet over a period of several days. Not only can help prevent diarrhea and other GI upset, but it can also help your cat accept the new food. Royal Canin has a good guide that explains how to handle this process.
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary
The Pro Plan DM DM Dietetic Management Dry Food from Purina takes the edge when it comes to antioxidant contents since it has both Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. You may find it suitable if you want to improve your cats coat and skin. The only thing that might put people off is its considerably higher price compared to the competition.
Don’t Miss: Cat Started Sleeping Under Covers
Caloric Content & Requirement For Cats
Metabolizable energy: 4,030 kcal/kg, 554 kcal/cup
According to wsava.org the calorie requirement for a healthy adult cat that is not overweight is 28 calories per pound if its a relatively active cat. However, the perfect calories content will depend on the cats size and activity level. Dr. Elseys Cleanprotein chicken cat food contains 554 calories per cup. This means you must feed your cat no more than ½ cup per day if you have an average-sized indoor cat .
- Read more:
A side note: If you use a timed cat feeder, in order to feed your feline friend 2 or 3 times per day you must provide portions of 1/8 cup or less at a time.
Cats Need Protein Not Just To Survive But To Thrive
Cats are obligate carnivores. They cannot get enough nutritional support from plant-based proteins such as grains and vegetables. Feeding foods high in carbohydrates leads to any number of degenerative diseases, including diabetes, kidney disease, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Some pet food manufacturers are using plant-based proteins to boost protein content. Plant-based proteins are high in oxalate and lead to rapid metabolization, which actually increases your cats hunger. Feeding a high quality protein rich diet make your cat feel full longer, which helps maintain a healthy weight at every age.
Don’t Miss: Blue Cat Food Ingredient List
Dr Elseys Clean Protein Dry Cat Food
14/20 rating
- Product name rule = recipe 25-94.9% of the named ingredient
- Approx carb amount = 3%
- First 5 ingredients = turkey, dried chicken, dried egg product, gelatin, pork protein isolate
The previous two dry foods are much more suitable for cats.
Dr. Elseys doesnt contain any mystery ingredients.
However, it seems they rely more on supplements than whole meat ingredients.
This is still a much better option than most dry cat foods.
AVOID the product that says with in the name. This will have less than 25% of the named ingredient.
Only use recipe in the name. This will have more than 25% of the named ingredient.
Buy Dr. Elseys on and Chewy .
What Kinds Of Cat Food Does Dr Elseys Offer
Dr. Elseys offers a small selection of wet and dry cat food.
The two dry formulas stand out with exceptionally low carbohydrate contentboth formulas are around 10% carbohydrates on a dry matter basisand plenty of animal-sourced protein. Unlike most kibble, Dr. Elseys dry food is made without any grains or other starchy ingredients and instead relies on gelatin as a binder.
Dr. Elseys wet food is less groundbreaking, but sticks to carnivorous dietary principles with high meat inclusions, moderate fat content, and minimal carbohydrate content.
With single source duck and pork recipes along with a selection of mixed-protein foods including ocean whitefish, beef, salmon, rabbit & turkey, chicken, and duck & turkey, the Dr. Elseys wet food lineup is small but diverse.
Dr. Elseys cat food is never made with by-products and doesnt use mystery proteins like animal by-products or meat meal. The foods never contain artificial ingredients, including artificial colors, flavors, or chemical preservatives that could harm your cat over time.
You May Like: H.p. Lovecraft’s Cat Name
Which Dr Elsey Has Maximum Demand
The most sought after product is chicken recipe dry cat food with a 4.7 out of 5-star rating. This is followed by the chicken recipe wet cat food. The majority of people are very happy with the purchase as their cats relish this product. It has helped cats have a good bowel movement and shiny coat.
Many customers mention that it is helpful with cats that have some medical conditions. The variety offered is the greatest plus point as it helps to break the food monotony. Moreover, it has helped many cats be more active and agile as food is the major aspect of cats good health.
However, some cat owners are concerned about the prices of the products and sometimes there have been few quality issues as the product didnt match the set standard.
The Story Behind Dr Elseys
As mentioned, Dr. Elseys started out as a litter brand on a mission to save cats. One of the most common reasons for a cat to be brought to a shelter is urinating outside of the litterbox. After 10 years working in the animal shelter world, its something Ive sadly seen thousands of times. Often times cat owners are at a loss for how to fix but cant have their cat urinating on everything in the house.
Dr. Elseys attempted to fix this problem by introducing cat litter that cats actually want to use along with supplemental products like cat attract. Ive actually visited the folks at the Denver Cat Care Society where Dr. Elsey tested his product.
Eventually, Dr. Elsey decided that it was time to introduce a protein-focused, and thus species-appropriate, cat food to the market. In my opinion, their cleanprotein recipes are some of the best cat foods on the market in terms of ingredient quality and for being species-appropriate.
The passion for cats is obvious when you look closely at the Dr. Elsey brand and it shows not only when you listen to the brands namesake speak but also in the actions they take to help shelters. Shelters can request free litter kits so that cat owners can try Dr. Elseys litter in an attempt to prevent being brought to the shelter.
You can also listen to Dr. Elsey tell his own story in this video:
Read Also: What Was The Name Of Hp Lovecraft’s Cat
What Ingredients Should I Look For In Cat Food
The first ingredient should be real named meat, such as chicken, salmon, beef, turkey, or rabbit. Avoid by-products. Watch for fillers, like corn or rice. Avoid artificial colorings and flavorings. Look for a high percentage of fresh ingredients, omega 3-fatty acids, omega 6-fatty acids, folic acid, and antioxidants. Zinc, copper, and manganese are also essential for your cats skin, organs, and immune system.
Is The Formula Complete And Balanced
As you can imagine, nutrients from meat proteins arent the only thing a cats diet requires. They also need a wide range of other nutrients to stay in top-notch health, such as:
- Carbohydrates
- Amino acids
- Minerals
The balancing of these nutrients will depend on your cats age and lifestyle. As a result, choosing the perfect commercial dry food can provide peace of mind for owners. Youll know the food being provided is offering the correct balance of calories and nutrients.
Luckily, todays cat food manufacturers have to meet specific nutritional regulations before selling their products. These rules were established by the AAFCO .
If a formula is balanced and complete, an assurance provided by this organization will let a buyer know. You can then rest easy knowing the food promotes better cat health.
Read Also: Cat With Swollen Paw
Dr Elsey’s Wet Cat Food Review
Based on our analysis of 9 unique Dr. Elsey’s wet cat food products, Dr. Elsey’s isa significantly above average wet cat food brand when compared to similar products in our database.
Dr. Elsey’s Wet Food Average Ingredient Score:
Dr. Elsey’s Wet Food Average Nutrition Score:
CatFoodDB’s Top 3 Dr. Elsey’s Wet Cat Foods
Product
-
First ingredient is a quality protein.
-
Contains no questionable ingredients or fillers.
-
Contains significantly fewer carbs than average.
Ingredients:
-
First ingredient is a quality protein.
-
Contains no questionable ingredients or fillers.
-
Contains significantly fewer carbs than average.
Ingredients:
Madison Park Norfolk Luxury Ultra Plush Down Alternative Throw Ivory 5060 Paisley Premium Soft Cozy Long Fur
Customer Reviews·Check Price History
Features
- Face: Embroidery 220Gsm Long Fur With 50Gsm 6D Bonded Polyfill, Solid, 100% Polyester Reverse: 170Gsm Mink, Solid, 100% Polyester Filling: 50Gsm 6D Bonded Poly Fill Bartack Quilting, Knife Edge
- Ultra Soft Plush Fabric Paisley Embroidery 50X60 Down Alternative Filling
- Machine Wash Cold, Gentle Cycle, And Separately. Do Not Bleach. Tumble Dry Low, Remove Promptly. Do Not Iron. If There Is No Free Movement In The Washer Or Dryer, Use Large Capacity Commercial Washer/Dryer.
- 1 Throw:50X60
Recommended Reading: Remove Cat Urine From Hardwood Floors
You May Like: Can I Bathe My Kitten With Dawn
Products Included In This Review
Name 20.45%Ingredients:Duck, Duck Broth, Duck Liver, Dried Egg Product, Natural Flavor, Agar-Agar, Barley Grass, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Salmon Oil, Taurine, Magnesium Proteinate, Salt, Dried New Zealand Green Mussels, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex , Vitamin A Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, etc
Overall Is Dr Elseys A Good Choice
Dr. Elseys offers some of the best dry cat food on the market. Its rich in animal protein and made without animal by-products for maximum bioavailability. At less than 5% starch on a dry matter basis, Dr. Elseys foods wont spike blood sugar and may even be appropriate for diabetic cats.
Their wet foods are less extraordinary, but they stand out, too. Theyre comparable to Hound & Gatos, Ziwi Peak, and other high-protein paté-style foods. They offer a rich combination of muscle meat and organs along with multiple sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
This brand shines as a starting point for recovering kibble addicts. If youre transitioning your cat off his high-carbohydrate dry diet, Dr. Elseys is a great intermediate stage between traditional kibble and a truly species-appropriate diet.
Also Check: Kitten Food Blue Wilderness
What Cat Food To Avoid
Avoid any cat food whose first ingredient isnt named meat and any brand with too many carbohydrates among the first five listed ingredients.Certain human foods are also toxic to cats, including garlic, onion, chocolate, grapes, and raisins. And contrary to popular opinion, cats are lactose-intolerant and cant drink milk. So, avoid spoiling your cat with table scraps. Instead, get them high-quality cat food, homemade tuna treats, or chicken liver.
Overview Of The Dr Elseys Cat Food Brand
Dr. Bruce Elsey is a feline-only veterinarian who started his own practice back in the 1970s. Having seen over 8,000 patients during his time in practice, Dr. Elsey became an expert on cats and their needs. It was no surprise, then, when he released his own line of cat litter in 1989.
In 2017, Dr. Elsey launched a line of high-protein cat foods called Clean Protein. Each recipe is inspired by the protein levels found in animal prey, formulated with at least 90% protein from animal sources like chicken, beef, turkey, fish, and duck. Dr. Elseys Clean Protein cat food comes in two dry food formulas and nine wet food formulas as well as a variety pack.
Dr. Elseys Clean Protein cat food is marketed with the tagline, Feed protein, not plants. This brand recognizes that cats are carnivores designed to follow a wild prey diet.
Because commercial cat food is so much more convenient and accessible for the average cat owner, however, Dr. Elsey made an effort to mimic the protein levels found in natural prey products cat owners would be more likely to choose.
Though Dr. Elseys dry food selection is limited to two recipes, there are more choices in wet food. Its also worth noting that the brand offers three single source protein canned foods these are a great option for cats with food allergies or sensitivities to common proteins like chicken and beef.
Don’t Miss: How To Make A Cat T-shirt
Dr Elseys Quality Products For Cats
Dr. Bruce Elsey has been a feline only veterinarian for over 35 years and his goal is to provide products that help cats live happier, healthier lives. Dr. Elseys is the maker of 99.9% dust free Precious Cat scoop-able litters and Cat Attract Litter. These litters feature the texture, particle size and paw feel to create the ideal litter box environment for your cats.
Dr Elseys Cleanprotein Chicken Ingredients
Chicken, Dried Egg Product, Pork Protein Isolate, Gelatin, Chicken Fat , Flaxseed, Natural Flavor, Salmon Oil, Potassium Citrate, Calcium Carbonate, Fructooligosaccharide, Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, Vitamins , Minerals , Potassium Chloride, Mixed Tocopherols , Taurine, Salt, Rosemary Extract.
Recommended Reading: How To Get Cats To Stop Scratching Doors
The Were All About Cats Standardrating Dr Marty On What Matters
Weve rated the brand on six key criteria for quality. Heres how it rates in each of these six crucial areas.
- Recall History 8/10
Overall Score: 6.33/10
In total, we give Dr. Marty cat food a 42 out of 60 rating or a B- grade.
As part of our review process, weve submitted samples to an independent lab. You can see the full report here.
In addition to performing our own qualitative analysis of the brand, we submitted a sample of Dr. Marty Natures Feast for analysis at an ISO 17025 certified food testing and analysis lab. We bought the product at full retail price, and the entire testing process was funded by All About Cats without direct input or influence from the cat food company.
Analytical testing in a food chemistry lab gives us the products exact macronutrient and micronutrient content, painting a clear picture of what youre putting in your cats bowl.
Remember that, when it comes to nutrient content, the cat food label only gives us a guaranteed analysis, which is a set of minimum and maximum valuesnot a description of whats in the food. In reality, the foods nutrient content may be substantially different from what you see on the label.
Going beyond the label claims means you wont have to guess how much protein or carbs your cat is getting from their food. It also gives us information on micronutrients like phosphorus, which is almost always completely omitted from the cat food label.
The Dr Elseys Cleanprotein Diet
The main ingredients in the cleanprotein kibble chicken recipe are chicken, dried egg product, pork protein isolate, gelatin and chicken fat . There are also added vitamins and minerals, which are all listed on the Dr. Elseys website. I love that the wonderful people behind Dr. Elseys are transparent about whats in the cat food, so pet parents know exactly what we are feeding our kitties. Cats are natural carnivores, and this food is developed with that fact in mind. The large percentage of protein in the cleanprotein diet helps control hunger and maintain an appropriate body weight. When cats are wild, they do not normally eat fruits, veggies, grain or rice. Dr. Elseys food is designed around that fact that appropriate amounts of protein are crucial to your cats health.
Sadie licking her chops
Don’t Miss: Cat Keeps Scratching Door
Dr Elseys Clean Protein Cat Food
Description
The proof is in the protein with Dr. Elseys cleanprotein Chicken Formula Grain-Free Canned Cat Food. Inspired by the protein levels found in natural prey, this pate optimizes your cats appetite and body mass through simple, high quality ingredients. Including real chicken as the first ingredient, as well as nutrient-rich New Zealand green mussels, the idea is to promote a healthy and active lifestyle for all catsbecause the right diet can go a long way in satisfying your cats appetite and keeping him feeling great.
- First ingredient is chicken for high levels of protein to promote a healthy body mass and a satisfied appetite.
- Primary ingredients are among the highest biological value proteins available.
- Lower glycemic formula delivers just 4% of energy from carbohydrates.
- Ingredient profile is no-to-low oxalate to help prevent calcium oxalate crystals and bladder stones.
- 100% grain, gluten and filler free in a smooth pate formula thats full of vitamins and minerals like taurine.
- Sunday 10am-4:00pm
About Companion Pet Food Supply
Companion Pet Food Supply goal is to provide your best friend with the best quality pet food available. We want to support you in providing proper nutrition to your pet, hopefully resulting in a happier, longer life. Together we can improve our companions lives one meal at a time.