On a cat food label, the first ingredient should always be identified whole meats. Next should come processing-grade water or broth and other items such as nutritious grains and vitamin-rich legumes.
Ideal, companies should publish their manufacturing standards online, including details of facilities and quality controls.
Orijen
ORIJEN offers an assortment of recipes for dogs and cats alike, such as venison, beef, lamb, poultry and fish – each delicately freeze-dried to preserve nutrients and flavor; using whole prey items such as birds and fruits/berries when applicable – designed to fit every pet’s nutritional needs whether carnivorous, omnivorous or herbivorous!
This company produces food using premium, natural ingredients from Canada and the US that have been carefully selected, as well as following a biologically appropriate approach that mimics wild cat and dog diets – with an aim of providing maximum energy, health and happiness levels for its pets.
Orijen’s recipes are made with high-quality meat and fish sources, including raw or freshly prepared ingredients. Orijen also includes fruits, vegetables, and herbs for nutritional balance – Chicory root is an excellent source of soluble dietary fiber to aid digestion while stimulating healthy gut bacteria to grow; Cranberries, blackberries and blueberries offer antioxidant protection among other benefits.
This brand utilizes low-glycemic carbohydrates that are less likely to spike insulin and contribute to obesity, and include easily absorbable chelated minerals. Furthermore, this food provides high levels of protein and reasonable amounts of fat; however it must be noted that its quick spoilage rate poses potential challenges if not properly stored or frozen for extended periods.
Ziwi Peak
Ziwi Peak provides your pet with all of the nutrition of a raw diet while offering them the convenience of ready-to-serve kibble. Their slow and gentle air-drying process preserves nutrients while eliminating pathogenic bacteria – creating an ideal meal packed with raw meat, organs, bone and New Zealand green mussels – an excellent source of chondroitin and glucosamine to support joint health!
This food is free from artificial preservatives, featuring an abundance of New Zealand lamb as an abundant source of protein for your cat or dog. Furthermore, this grain-free and low carbohydrate formula may benefit those suffering from diabetes or IBS conditions.
Ziwi Peak was established by a free-range deer farmer and produced in small batches in family kitchens throughout New Zealand. Their Z-TwinTECH air-drying technique preserves natural nutrition in every recipe while their proprietary blend of superfoods enhances nutritional value further.
This food comes in various sizes and can serve both as a complete diet or bowl-boosting topper for puppies, kittens, pregnant or nursing mothers, pregnant mothers and nursing mothers. With 43-64% protein – higher than most cats need for their nutrition – yet still meeting AAFCO guidelines for all life stages, this company recommends using their feeding calculator to determine exactly how much to feed their pet each time.
Instinct
Instinct Pet Food offers natural pet food products in canned recipes and dry formulas. Their products are dye-free, meat-focused, and contain high moisture levels to promote hydration in cats with food sensitivities or allergies. Instinct sources ingredients from local suppliers and manufacturers; all their canned formulas also meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages.
Instinct wet food begins with high quality animal proteins and incorporates nutritious fruits and vegetables for balance. Many ingredients used by Instinct are organic, and their company follows a no-slaughter policy. They also offer grain-free meat products like chicken liver along with alternative proteins such as rabbit and venison to make their offerings unique and innovative.
Most varieties of Instinct feature low levels of carbohydrates, but certain varieties have higher carb counts than others. Indoor and Healthy Weight formulas tend to contain the highest carb levels while also boasting lower calorie counts than most dry food options from Instinct.
All Instinct canned and dry foods contain high protein levels, with some reaching up to 45% dry matter protein – well above average for pet food! Most of this protein comes from animal sources; many recipes also feature both chicken and turkey proteins as part of the recipe mix.
Made by Nacho
As its name suggests, Made by Nacho was created by celebrity chef Bobby Flay with his cat Nacho in mind. This premium wet and dry food line provides nutritionally balanced meals tailored to meet specific feline dietary requirements, while offering freeze-dried protein treats ideal for cats with sensitive stomachs.
This brand combines high-quality animal proteins with ingredients that appeal naturally to cats in its recipes, which are nutritionally dense while using no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives – and all are free from corn, wheat and soy!
Made by Nacho recipes focus on cage-free chicken as the primary animal protein source, but also include grass-fed beef, sustainably sourced fish, pumpkin, cranberries and blueberries to provide your cat with a well-balanced diet. In addition, each recipe includes bone broth as an additional source of flavorful nutrition and added hydration.
Made by Nacho uses sunflower oil as a natural fat source, both as binding agent and to increase fat content in recipes. Sometimes they also include organ meats such as chicken liver and gizzards as additional sources of fat for additional recipes.
