#and the only recall on this brand was for specific flavors of wet cat food in ~2015 or so? Iirc | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

centralparkpawsblog · 5 years ago

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Acana vs Royal Canin

https://www.centralparkpaws.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/417WUUX2vAL.jpg When it comes to my dog, I don’t think there will ever be a point where I feel like I’ve learned everything I can to help her.

As her advocate, I feel responsible to know as much as possible about what’s going on with her life.

Her diet is a major part of her routine, so I like to keep up on all the options that are at her disposal. Especially when it comes to food brands.

Acana and Royal Canin are two of the most popular dog food brands, but I’ve never bought them myself.

I did some research to find out what people love about these foods and if they could be a good fit for Maggie.

Here’s everything I learned.

Acana’s Company History

Acana was started by a family who wanted to make great dog food while also supporting the local economy.

In order to do this, they created a mission statement with two goals[1]:

They would only ever make food biologically appropriate for dogs.

Their ingredients would only ever be regionally sourced.

I love the idea of fine tuning dog food to match what dogs would eat if they were out in the wild.

They’re still programmed for that kind of food, even if you’ve got a dog like mine who is a proud couch potato.

Acana focuses on providing this by mixing proteins in every bag or can of food[2], so dogs get the best nutrition possible without breaking the bank.

Best Sellers

Like any other major dog food brand, Acana has a variety of foods for consumers to choose from, but they still have a few best sellers:

Acana Wild Atlantic Dry Dog Food

Acana Grasslands Dry Dog Food

Acana Meadowland Dry Dog Food

Each food blend is named for the region where your dog would find the ingredients if they were out in the wild, which I think is pretty cool.

Royal Canin’s Company History

Royal Canin’s first nutritional dog food blend was born in 1968, based on the belief that if a dog ate the right food, it would transform their entire health[3].

By 1974, they sold dog food internationally, and they’ve been trusted by dog owners and breeders ever since.

Best Sellers

In order to claim their own space in the kibble world, Royal Canin separates their food blends by age and breed.

You can get food specifically tailored to your dog’s genetic makeup according to their breed, but they have a few best sellers that work with general dogs:

Large Adult 5+ Dry Dog Food

Large Aging 8+ Dry Dog Food

Adult Canned in Gel Dog Food

I like that there are so many foods to choose from, and that you can get food according to your dog’s breed.

That’s something I haven’t seen before, so it definitely rivals Acana’s regional ingredient approach.

Do you have a dog with urinary problems? We reviewed Royal Canin’s Urinary Diet food!

Recalls

With their attention to detail when it comes to their ingredients, it seems like Acana has tapped into a healthy business model.

They’ve never had any recalls[4], so it’s safe to bet that their food will be consistently good for your dog.

Their only issue is that they had a class-action lawsuit filed against them in 2018, but it ended up being dismissed because the judge found that the data at hand regarding toxins was misinterpreted[5].

Melamine: Not for dog food!

The food had always been safe for dogs to eat.

On the other hand, Royal Canin has had three recalls[6] — one in 2006 and two in 2007.

The first recall in 2006 was caused by too much Vitamin D3 in special diet foods.

The two 2007 recalls were both caused by melamine being in many variations of their dog and cat food.

Melamine is a chemical that’s commonly used to make dishware[7], but when it’s put in acidic solutions, like stomach acid, it’s easily absorbed and turns toxic[8].

Having two recalls for the same reason does make me pause and wonder how Royal Canin let that happen.

Although it’s been twelve years, I can’t imagine how a double mistake like that could happen.

What’s Important When Choosing a Dog Food?

Before I ever get Maggie a new brand of dog food, I make sure to look for these key factors.

Ingredients

I want the ingredients in my dog’s food to be recognizable, nutritious, and safe, and I think all dog owners feel the same way.

The more preservatives and chemicals that appear in an ingredient list, the less likely I am to buy that food.

Price

The price is also something to consider for your long-term financial wellbeing.

I restock Maggie’s 25 pound food bags once every six weeks.

Dog owners with bigger dogs should also be wary of how often they’ll be buying from the food brand, as well as any owner on a budget.

Availability

Don’t get accidentally stuck with a dog food brand you can only buy at your vet’s office or in the next town over.

Double check any food that interests you to see if you can buy it locally or have it shipped to your house for convenience.

Taste

Maggie gets to experiment more often with different flavors of treats, since they’re so little and have a very low chance of impacting her digestion.

Based on what treats she likes, I gauge her food blends off her preferences.

You can also research each brand to find out what other owners are reporting back.

Do their dogs like it?

That’s a great way to find out if a quality bag of food translates into food that tastes good.

Brand Reliability

Always look at the history of a brand to see how reliable they are.

If they’ve had multiple recalls, do you trust them to never have those problems again? How proactively did they react to the recalls or lawsuits?

I want to buy from a brand that can admit they made a mistake and then prevent it from reoccurring.

Comparison of Acana vs Royal Canin

So how do these two dog food brands compare? Let’s break things down into our most important factors.

Ingredients

Winner: Acana

Acana began their brand long ago, but they continue to use only real ingredients.

Their Ranchlands mix, which is one of their most popular foods, has all recognizable ingredients[9].

That makes me feel more in control of what Maggie’s actually eating when I pour food into her bowl.

Royal Canin’s best seller, the Adult 5+ Dry Dog Food bag, only has four foods that I can recognize out of 51 ingredients.

Their first ingredient is “chicken by-product meal,” which makes me wonder why they won’t just use real chicken.

I’d pick Acana for their ingredients before letting Maggie eat whatever by-product meal is.

Price/Value

Winner: Royal Canin

The flipside to valuing better ingredients is that the food will get more expensive than other options.

Acana comes out to average about over two dollars and fifty cents per pound, which means Maggie’s usual 25 pound bag would cost almost $67 before paying for shipping or local taxes.

Royal Canin is slightly less expensive than Acana, because most of their food is made up of those cheaper ingredients that aren’t fresh.

Still, it’s reported that the cost of fresh food like raw meat, veggies, or even wet food will continue to soar[10]. So you’re probably winning either way if you go with dry kibble.

Personally, I would hunt around on the internet to find if Acana is available at different prices and then make my decision from there.

What I currently spend on Maggie is about $50 per bag, so I could take the jump in price if there were discounts or coupons applied.

Availability

Winner: Royal Canin

Neither of these brands sell their food directly from their websites, but they do each have a store locator that you can use to find the closest retailer near you.

That being said, you can find them for sale at other online stores, so you should check to see if the places that have the best prices also deliver to your area.

Acana loses here because it’s available on Amazon, not Chewy.

Royal Canin, on the other hand, can be found on both Amazon and Chewy.

Taste

Winner: Acana

Maggie’s never tried either of these brands before, so I had to read about what other customers have reported.

Acana is a bit complicated with specific tastes, since every bag of food has a blend of regional proteins.

There’s no beef or chicken label to go by, but it seems that customers report to have happy dogs if Acana ends up in their food bowls.

Royal Canin has mixed reviews.

Some dog owners have dogs who love the food, while others see their dogs have bad reactions to it, like diarrhea and vomiting.

If this is the brand you’re more interested in, it’d be smart to introduce it slowly to your dog’s diet and be aware that if these symptoms appear, you should switch food blends immediately.

Based on the taste reviews, I think Acana seems like the obvious choice. Their whole, natural ingredients are easier for dogs to digest and more nutritious, which ends up in food that tastes great.

Brand Reliability

Winner: Acana

I trust a brand with no recalls over any other brand, so while I believe Royal Canin has solved the issues that led to their three recalls, I’d trust Acana first.

I like that they know their food production process inside and out, so I wouldn’t worry about watching the news to see if a recall happened with them.

Overall

Winner: Acana

The winner for me is Acana, although I do wish their prices were a bit lower.

It all depends where you buy it from, and thankfully, there are a lot of options online.

Conclusion

Weigh all these factors for yourself when you decide which dog food brand to get for your dog, and always be aware of any changes in their health after introducing them to new food.

Resources

https://acana.com/usa/about-acana/

https://acana.com/usa/about-acana/biologically-appropriate/

https://www.royalcanin.com/us/about-us/our-history

https://www.petful.com/brands/acana/

https://legalnewsline.com/stories/511765840-judge-evidence-lacking-in-class-action-alleging-orijen-dog-food-was-harmful-to-pets

https://www.petful.com/brands/royal-canin/

https://www.webstaurantstore.com/article/61/top-eight-benefits-of-melamine-dinnerware.html

https://labdoor.com/article/melamine-an-in-depth-look-at-the-toxic-chemical-in-our-kitchen

https://acana.com/our-foods/dog-foods/regionals/ranchlands/

https://www.apnews.com/6194eec961884459b8570a4737b5444d

The post Acana vs Royal Canin appeared first on Central Park Paws.

from https://www.centralparkpaws.net/dog-food/acana-vs-royal-canin/

#dogs #cats #pets #reviews

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johnathanzudn736-blog · 5 years ago

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Canine Cancer - Pet Food Diet

"The story of Eukanuba starts in 1969 when its creator, who passes the name of Paul Lams, was taking a look at prospective names for his brand-new family pet food formula that he had actually created. By this time Lams had actually currently produced a track record for producing high quality family pet food and was a self taught animal nutritional expert and by 1974 he was acknowledged all over the world as being one of the very best in the company. The term Eukanuba really came from a phrase used in the jazz period of the 1940s and implied ""something supreme"" which, to Paul, seemed apt for his new line of items. The brand name is now in the hands of the worldwide business, Proctor & Gamble.

The brand now covers a series of products for both canines and cats and they cover both food along with various deals with, for pets just, all of which are made with their nutritional requirements in mind. It is also essential to mention that their products are separated into young puppy, or kitty, adult, and those items for senior animals because at each phase of their life their dietary needs change.

The bulk of their items are classified as being dry food, although they do develop a damp food range as well. In order to look at their products it is best to break it up into dogs and felines with the pet dog products preceding.

If you own a pet, then you may be able to acquire items from their type specific formulas and the list of types is on their website. Alternatively, if they suffer from problems linked to their joints, skin, or food digestion then there is a dry food specifically formulated to assist with these conditions. As was discussed earlier they have specific products for pups, adult dogs, and those classified as elders and even within these groupings they have individual items according to their size. Their scientific approach to nutrition has also resulted in them producing dry food for pet dogs that are more active because they lose more energy and even if after all of this you are still uncertain then their Pure Formula dry food is appropriate for all breeds.

Their wet food for pets can be found in a variety of flavors, and all loaded with the appropriate nutrients, and finally with treats they are divided up into age and even deals with for weight control. This obviously means you can still pamper them without it impacting their health.

Eukanuba feline products follow the exact same basic lines as their pet items because they are divided up into kitty, adult, and mature to ensure they get the appropriate nutrients. Once again, they do both dry and damp food, but with a few subtle differences due to different needs for cats. You will therefore see that they produce a dry food to give remedy for hairballs, weight control, as well as a delicate stomach. When it concerns the wet food then there is an option for kittens together with different tastes for adult felines.

With such a high degree of work having actually been taken into their items it is possibly useful to understand how well appreciated they are within the marketplace and you will see that they have actually acquired recognition with groups such as the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) and American Kennel Club (AKC). This alone bears testament to the quality of the items that they produce as these collaborations are rather distinguished and there is likewise real competition between pet food producers to enter into this position.

Aside from that recognition the company itself is known for producing a quality item and the fact that many veterinarians sell them, in addition to just advising them to their clients, lets you understand how well respected they are within the market. They are understood for their Essential Health System which looks at 6 vital aspects of nutrition for your family pet and guarantees their products comply with them. By doing this it indicates your family pet is getting the right nutrients to help their bones, muscles, their skin and coat, basic health, digestion and even dental help so they will benefit in a number of ways from this line of products.

The care they take into their products is even shown in there having been few recalls over the last few years including Eukanuba and they have actually generally been connected to them simply taking precautions. In 2010 a number of lines were recalled due to fears of potential salmonella contamination in a production plant in Ohio. In 2007 it was likewise included in a mass recall of animal food including all of the main names in the industry due to toxic substances in items from a company called Menu Foods. These recalls were conducted in accordance with the authorities, but they are very unusual indeed.

youtube

In general the general consensus of Eukanuba items is that they will assist preserve better health for your pet or feline and they do have 40 years experience in the market to back this up. Their creator was commonly accepted as being an authority in animal nutrition and the knowledge that they have actually constructed up need to provide you confidence in the Eukanuba brand. They make it simple to get the proper food for your pet or feline according to typical health conditions and even their age so you will make certain they are being fed the correct things therefore giving you peace of mind. A search online will constantly toss up unfavorable evaluations, but this applies to any trademark name and not only Eukanuba in which case you always require to choose the bulk decision that state your family pet will gain from this line of family pet food."

#pet food #dog food #cat food

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elliotkruj362-blog · 5 years ago

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Selecting a Diet Plan For Your Pet - Does it Make Any Difference?

"The story of Eukanuba begins in 1969 when its founder, who passes the name of Paul Lams, was looking at possible names for his new animal food formula that he had created. By this time Lams had actually already created a reputation for producing high quality family pet food and was a self taught animal nutritional expert and by 1974 he was recognized around the world as being among the very best in business. The term Eukanuba really came from an expression utilized in the jazz age of the 1940s and meant ""something supreme"" which, to Paul, appeared apt for his new line of items. The brand is now in the hands of the international company, Proctor & Gamble.

The brand name now covers a variety of items for both pet dogs and felines and they cover both food in addition to various treats, for pets only, all of which are made with their nutritional needs in mind. It is also crucial to explain that their products are broken up into puppy, or kitten, adult, and those items for senior animals considering that at each phase of their life their nutritional needs change.

The bulk of their products are classified as being dry food, although they do produce a damp food range also. In order to take a look at their items it is best to break it up into canines and felines with the canine items coming initially.

If you own a canine, then you may have the ability to buy products from their breed specific formulas and the list of types is on their site. Alternatively, if they struggle with problems connected to their joints, skin, or food digestion then there is a dry food specially created to aid with these conditions. As was mentioned previously they have specific products for puppies, adult pets, and those classified as senior citizens and even within these groupings they have individual items according to their size. Their scientific technique to nutrition has likewise resulted in them producing dry food for canines that are more active because they lose more energy and even if after all of this you are still uncertain then their Pure Solution dry food appropriates for all breeds.

Their wet food for pet dogs can be found in a series of flavors, and all loaded with the correct nutrients, and finally with treats they are broken up into age and even deals with for weight control. This obviously indicates you can still indulge them without it impacting their health.

Eukanuba feline items follow the very same general lines as their canine products because they are divided up into kittycat, adult, and grow to ensure they get the right nutrients. Once again, they do both dry and damp food, but with a couple of subtle distinctions due to different requirements for felines. You will therefore see that they produce a dry food to offer relief from hairballs, weight control, in addition to a sensitive stomach. When it pertains to the damp food then there is an option for kittycats in addition to various flavors for adult cats.

With such a high degree of work having been taken into their products it is maybe useful to know how well appreciated they are within the marketplace and you will see that they have gotten acknowledgment with groups such as the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) and American Kennel Club (AKC). This alone bears testament to the quality of the products that they produce as these partnerships are rather distinguished and there is likewise genuine competitors between pet food makers to enter into this position.

Aside from that recognition the company itself is understood for producing a quality item and the fact that so lots of veterinarians sell them, as well as simply suggesting them to their customers, lets you understand how well appreciated they are within the market. They are understood for their Essential Health System which looks at 6 important aspects of nutrition for your pet and ensures their items follow them. By doing this it suggests your pet is getting the appropriate nutrients to assist their bones, muscles, their skin and coat, general health, food digestion and even dental assistance so they will benefit in a number of methods from this line of products.

The care they put into their products is even reflected in there having actually been couple of recalls over the last few years involving Eukanuba and they have generally been linked to them simply taking preventative measures. In 2010 a variety of lines were remembered due to worries of possible salmonella contamination in a production plant in Ohio. In 2007 it was also associated with a mass recall of family pet food including all of the primary names in the market due to contaminants in products from a company called Menu Foods. These recalls were conducted in accordance with the authorities, but they are very unusual indeed.

youtube

Overall the basic agreement of Eukanuba items is that they will assist maintain much better health for your pet dog or feline and they do have 40 years experience in the market to back this up. Their founder was extensively accepted as being an authority in animal nutrition and the understanding that they have developed need to give you self-confidence in the Eukanuba brand name. They make it easy to get the appropriate food for your pet or cat according to common health conditions and even their age so you will be sure they are being fed the appropriate things for that reason giving you comfort. A search online will always throw up unfavorable evaluations, but this applies to any trademark name and not only Eukanuba in which case you always require to choose the majority decision that say your pet will gain from this line of family pet food."

#pet food #dog food #cat food

0 notes

imaginesanonymous · 8 years ago

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Family Pet™

Request: honestly i don't have the best idea but anything markiplier or jacksepticeye / ooo them working in a pet store sounds great / probably just one of them in it and probably something to do with a cat (i have two cats that need special food if that helps at all)

a/n- So this accidentally became more of an info dump than an actual fic. Hopefully, you guys learned something. If you have pet related questions, feel free to shoot me an ask!

You shoved your hands into the pockets of your raincoat and jogged under the awning of the store. The wind whipped your hair around and added a force acting against you as you tried to open the door. After an embarrassing struggle against the storm, you finally wrenched the door open and walked in, wet boots squelching against the tiled floor.

Pulling off your hood, you looked around for the tell-tale purple shirt the Family Pet employees wear as you walk to the cat supply section. As you reached the end of one of the aisles, a man wearing the company shirt rounded the corner to meet you.

“Can I help with anything today?” he smiled.

“Yes, please! My cats have been throwing up so I think I need a different food. I know they have a grain allergy, but I don’t know about protein.”

“Ah, allergies,” he nodded, “always fun to clean up after. What dry food are you on currently?”

You thought for a moment, trying to remember the brand name. “Uh, it’s a shiny blue bag? I should really know this… I’ve been using it since they were kittens. It’s weird that they suddenly don’t like it…”

“Animals can develop allergies at any time, just like humans. Maybe one of the grain-free Blue Buffalos?” he suggests.

“Yeah, Blue Buffalo! My friend told me that’s one of the best foods, so that’s what I’ve been using.”

His brows knit. “Actually, Blue Buffalo has been having some quality control issues lately. They used to be one of the top brands and they really began to pave the way for pet foods. All of them used to be made with beef, which caused a ton of animals to develop allergies to beef, but Blue Buffalo was like, “Hey, let’s use different proteins.” But since then, they’ve kinda fallen. Had a lot of recalls, stuff like that, issues with claiming their food doesn’t have corn when it does.”

You were a bit taken aback by this. “I really wish someone would’ve told me sooner! I’ve been buying this for the last two years!”

He scratched the back of his neck nervously. “Um, we’re usually not supposed to say that much but I just kinda spilled anyway. You just seemed so confused about why your cats are sick. I hope you don’t feel attacked or anything- I’m not saying you’re a bad pet owner. You couldn’t have known any of that.”

You shook your head. “No, no, I’m glad you told me! What’s a better food to put my cats on? What’s the best?”

“Well.” he began, leading you to the huge wall of dry food. He slapped his hand on a yellow bag. “The absolute best thing you can do is feed raw, because all kibble is highly processed. However that’s pretty expensive, and if you’re on a high quality food like Orijen,” he gestured to the bag he was leaning on, “or Nutrisource or any of those, it won’t be a problem. Orijen is the best brand we have for dry food. All of the nutrients are sourced directly from nature whereas all of the other foods have their nutrients synthesized in a lab. This means that the ingredient panel is all natural. That’s why you’ll see so many veggies listed- that’s how the natural sourcing works. However, since you’re not sure what proteins the cats are allergic to…” he stepped back a few paces and gestured to several white bags in various sizes, “I’d recommend Nutrisource’s Pure Vita line. What you’re gonna want to do is choose a flavor, like maybe the Turkey and Sweet Potato, and transition them to that. Do you know how switching foods works?”

“Yeah, you gotta use some of the old food and some of the new food and do it in ratios,” you replied.

“Exactly!” he nods. “So do that. The thing is, though, is that these things take time. It could take up to three months to know if it’s working. And if you’re gonna do this, you can only feed turkey or sweet potato treats that have no other proteins or fillers. And the only table scraps can be turkey or sweet potato.” He took a deep breath. “Any questions?”

“Wow…” you laughed.

“Sorry, I was really babbling there. Did all of that make sense? Did I lose you?”

You raised your hands in defense. “Oh, no! You were great! I just had no idea the people who work here are so knowledgeable! I don’t think I’d get this kind of help from a big store like PetSmart.”

He smiled sheepishly and shrugged. “Well, we’re just trying to keep your family pets healthy!”

“I can see that! What’s your name, by the way?”

“Mark! And yours?”

“I’m y/n. Thank you so much for your help!” You grabbed the 6.6lb bag of Turkey and Sweet Potato off the shelf. “I’m really excited to try this! I feel like I have a much better grasp of what’s going on.”

“If there’s any issues you can always come back in or give me a call!”

You smirked. “You specifically?”

His cheeks turned red. “I mean, the store. I’m here all the time, though, and I’m usually the quickest to answer the phone…”

“That’s a shame,” you pretended to pout, “I would’ve gladly taken your number…”

“Well, in that case, let me see your phone,” he winked, causing you to blush.

He added his contact while walking you to the register. “Send me some pictures of your cats so I’ll know it’s you!”

“Mark!” and angry looking man called. He shook his head and lifted his clip board in the air, a gesture you couldn’t decipher.

“That’s my manager. I’ll see you around, y/n!” He waved curtly before speed walking away.

“See ya, Mark. Thanks for your help!”

#markiplier imagine #mark fischbach imagine #youtuber imagine #request #yt #admin red

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whittlebaggett8 · 6 years ago

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The best kitten food you can buy, Defence Online

Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

source

Blue Buffalo / Defence Online

Growing kittens require a minimum of 30% protein and 9% fat in their diets to fuel healthy growth and development.

It is also recommended that you choose an all-natural product made with plenty of meat and limited carbohydrates.

Loaded with more than 80% real animal ingredients, Nature’s Variety Instinct Original Kitten Grain-Free Recipe delivers a protein-packed dose of healthy nutrition and natural flavor to support your kitten’s growth and development.

When kittens are born, they weigh no more than a few ounces. Over the next 10 weeks, you can expect your kitten to gain about two pounds and to start eating solid food. He’ll continue to grow quickly over the next four months or so, at which point his growth will slow down until he reaches his adult size around 11 to 12 months of age.

Kittens start sampling solid food around four weeks of age, but most don’t transition completely onto a commercial diet until about six weeks. From the moment your kitten starts eating solid food, it is important to provide him with a healthy, high-quality diet that provides for his nutritional needs. He’ll need plenty of protein to fuel his growth and development with omega fatty acids for heart health, immunity, and healthy skin and coat.

Shopping for kitten food can be overwhelming due to the sheer number of options available. Fortunately for you, we’ve taken the time to learn the details about kitten nutrition, and we’ve scoured the reviews to bring you our top picks for the best kitten food.

Here is the best kitten food you can buy in 2019:

Read on in the slides below to check out our top picks.

The best kitten food overall

source

Amazon

Why you’ll love it: Made with 80% animal ingredients, Nature’s Variety Instinct is a protein-packed kitten food that is highly digestible and loaded with nutrition.

Starting your kitten off with a healthy diet is the best thing you can do to support his long-term health and wellness. Your kitten’s diet should be built around premium animal proteins like poultry, meat, and fish with essential fatty acids for energy and coat support. Our top pick for the best kitten food overall is Nature’s Variety Instinct Original Kitten Grain-Free Recipe because it is made with wholesome, natural ingredients in a recipe formulated to meet your growing kitten’s nutritional needs.

This food is loaded with more than 43% protein to help your kitten develop strong, healthy muscles. Most of that protein comes from four premium sources, including fresh chicken, turkey meal, salmon meal, and menhaden fish meal. This recipe also contains digestible grain-free carbohydrates and antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables to ensure balanced nutrition. It also contains supplemental fiber and probiotics to support healthy and regular digestion as well as optimal nutrient absorption.

The Idle Cat recommends this kitten food and highlights the fact that 81% of the ingredients come from animal products and comment that it is “tailor-made for the needs of a growing kitten.” Feline Living also gives this food a favorable review, commenting on the lack of artificial additives and the inclusion of antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies.

Nature’s Variety Instinct Original Kitten Grain-Free Recipe carries a solid 4.3-star rating on Amazon. While this product has a relatively low number of reviews on both Amazon and Chewy, they are overwhelmingly positive. We love the fact that this recipe contains nothing other than high-quality ingredients that contribute toward your kitten’s healthy growth and development.

Pros: Premium all-natural ingredients, several sources of animal protein, 81% animal ingredients, fresh fruits and vegetables, over 40% protein and 20% fat

Cons: Fairly expensive compared to other brands, contains more than one source of protein (some kittens develop allergies to common proteins)

Buy Nature’s Variety Instinct Original Kitten Grain-Free Recipe on Amazon for $19.99

The best affordable food for kittens

source

Amazon

Why you’ll love it: An affordable choice that offers high-quality nutrition, this Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Healthy Kitten Recipe comes in both dry and wet food form.

Top-of-the-line kitten food can be expensive, but it is well worth the cost when it comes to the benefits for your kitten’s health. If premium kitten food is out of your price range, choose the highest quality product you can consistently afford. Though the quality of your kitten’s diet is important, it is also important to avoid frequent changes to his diet.

If you’re looking for an affordable kitten food that offers quality nutrition, we recommend Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Healthy Kitten Recipe.

Available in both dry food and wet food form, this food is uniquely formulated for both indoor and outdoor kittens. It features both chicken meal and turkey meal as concentrated sources of protein with grain-free carbohydrates like potatoes and peas. Chicken fat provides a nutrient-rich source of energy while dried fermentation products offer probiotic support. Plus, the brand is created by Merrick Pet Care, one of the most trusted pet food brands in the industry.

Breedsy features the wet food version of this food in its top 11 picks for the best kitten food, noting its high protein content and low carbohydrate content. Kitty Catter reviews the Whole Earth Farms brand as a whole, giving it a 4.5-star rating for its high-quality and the fact that it is made in the US and has a very short list of product recalls (specific to Merrick Pet Care, not Whole Earth Farms products).

This Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Healthy Kitten Recipe is surprisingly affordable for a grain-free recipe and carries a 4.5-star rating on Amazon with more than 100 reviews. Cat owners love the price and quality, though there are comments about some kittens refusing the food.

Pros: Affordable price (especially for grain-free), concentrated source of animal protein as first ingredient, nutrient-rich chicken fat, plenty of omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics

Cons: Contains some plant protein (peas and pea protein), some kittens don’t like it

Buy Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Healthy Kitten Recipe on Amazon for $24.99

The best wet food for kittens

source

Amazon

Why you’ll love it: Rich in protein and moisture to improve palatability, the Wellness Complete Health Kitten Formula Grain-Free Canned Food offers complete and balanced nutrition for kittens with wholesome, natural ingredients.

A kitten’s baby teeth start to grow in around three-weeks-old and their permanent teeth grow in around three to four months. As your kitten transitions from his mother’s milk to solid food, he may find wet food more palatable and easier to chew.

Many cat owners choose to continue feeding their kittens wet food because it tends to be higher in both moisture and protein content than commercial dry food. Our top pick for the best wet food for kittens is Wellness Complete Health Kitten Formula Grain-Free Canned Food.

This food comes in a smooth, palatable loaf loaded with fresh chicken and chicken liver. As a grain-free recipe, it features fresh carrots, cranberries, and flaxseed as the only carbohydrate ingredients, all of which supply essential nutrients. This formula is rich in omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat with chelated minerals nutritional balance. These are mineral supplements that have been chemically bound to protein molecules to increase absorption.

The Idle Cat says this food is easy for kittens to eat and highly appealing flavor-wise. The reviewer also notes that it contains taurine, a nutrient essential for heart and eye development. The Spruce recommends this food because of its high-quality, natural ingredients.

With more than 300 reviews on Amazon, this Wellness Complete Health Kitten Formula Grain-Free Canned Food has a 4.1-star rating and carries an Amazon’s Choice award.

Pros: Real chicken as first ingredient, grain-free for digestibility, rich in moisture and natural flavor, plenty of omega fatty acids, chelated minerals for increased absorption

Cons: Contains some thickeners (some kittens may be sensitive), some kittens don’t seem to like it

Buy Wellness Complete Health Kitten Formula Grain-Free Food on Amazon for $29.52

The best dry food for kittens

source

Amazon

Why you’ll love it: Made with several sources of premium animal protein and packed with essential fatty acids, Blue Buffalo’s holistic kitten food will support your kitten’s growth and development with high-quality nutrition and natural ingredients.

Dry cat food is typically the most convenient and cost-effective option. Not only can you save money by buying in bulk, but dry food has a longer shelf-life than wet food and it provides some dental benefits as well.

When shopping for dry kitten food, you need to check for high protein content, moderate fat content, and low carb content. Our top pick for the best dry food for kittens is Blue Buffalo Healthy Growth Kitten Recipe Dry Food.

It features real chicken as the first ingredient with chicken meal and menhaden fish meal as concentrated sources of supplemental protein. It provides the ideal balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for skin and coat support, with supplemental fiber and probiotics to ensure healthy digestion.

This recipe contains fresh fruits and vegetables as natural sources for key nutrients with vitamins and chelated minerals to ensure nutritional balance. Overall, it provides 36% protein and 20% fat with 3.5% fiber.

The Blue Buffalo Healthy Growth Kitten Recipe Dry Food has been given an Amazon’s Choice award and carries a 4.5-star rating on Amazon with more than 450 reviews. It is also included in Best Reviews Guide’s list of top 10 picks for the best kitten food.

Cat owners love the quality ingredients and high digestibility, though there are some comments about the inclusion of grains including brewer’s rice, which some kittens are sensitive to.

Pros: Real meat as first three ingredients, rich in omega fatty acids, fresh fruits and vegetables, nutritionally complete and balanced, supplemental fiber and probiotics

Cons: Not a grain-free recipe (some kittens may be sensitive), contains some plant protein (pea protein), contains brewer’s rice (some kittens may be allergic)

Buy Blue Buffalo Healthy Growth Kitten Recipe Dry Food on Amazon for $19.98

The best grain-free food for kittens

source

Amazon

Why you’ll love it: Made with real chicken and formulated with highly digestible grain-free carbohydrates, Blue Buffalo’s grain-free recipe provides your kitten with a nutritious source of protein for healthy growth and essential fatty acids for skin and coat support.

There is a great deal of controversy surrounding grain-free diets for pets, but the fact remains that cats are obligate carnivores and have a limited ability to digest plant products. Choosing a grain-free cat food doesn’t necessarily guarantee that it will also be low in carbohydrates, but many kittens have an easier time digesting grain-free food. If you’re considering a grain-free diet for your kitten, we recommend Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain-Free Kitten Indoor Recipe.

This food has it all. Not only does it feature protein-rich chicken as the first ingredient, but it contains digestible grain-free carbohydrates, plenty of omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat. Uniquely formulated for indoor kittens, this recipe contains cranberries for urinary tract health and supplemental fiber to reduce litter box odor. Nutritionally complete and balanced with 10% crude protein and 7% fat (45% and 32% dry matter), this recipe is just what your kitten needs to grow up healthy.

The Spruce recommends this food and notes the additional benefit that it is free from by-products, artificial additives, and low-quality fillers. Catalogical reviews this product favorably as well, commenting that it is loaded with protein and very low in carbohydrates compared to many similar products.

This Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain-Free Kitten Indoor Recipe carries a four-star rating on Amazon with more than 120 reviews. Cat owners love the quality of the ingredients and high protein content, though there are comments about some kittens disliking the food.

Pros: Real meat as the first ingredient, digestible grain-free carbohydrates, rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, fresh fruits and vegetables

Cons: Contains several thickening agents including carrageenan, contains an unnamed source of fat (fish oil vs. salmon oil), may be too high in fat for some kittens

Buy Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain-Free Kitten Indoor Kitten Recipe on Amazon for $28.99

The post The best kitten food you can buy, Defence Online appeared first on Defence Online.

from WordPress https://defenceonline.com/2019/04/28/the-best-kitten-food-you-can-buy-defence-online/

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brandavenniehe · 7 years ago

Text

Dogswell Grain Free (Canned)

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Dogswell Grain Free canned dog food receives the Advisor’s second-highest tier rating of 4.5.

Buying Tip

Get 20% Off + Free Shipping on Dogswell Dog Food Click for Details

The Dogswell Grain Free product line includes 5 canned dog foods.

Each recipe below includes its related AAFCO nutrient profile when available on the product’s official webpage: Growth, Maintenance, All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.

Important: Because many websites do not reliably specify which Growth or All Life Stages recipes are safe for large breed puppies, we do not include that data in this report. Be sure to check actual packaging for that information.

Dogswell Grain Free Duck Savory Stew [M]

Dogswell Grain Free Lamb Savory Stew [M]

Dogswell Grain Free Turkey Savory Stew [M]

Dogswell Grain Free Chicken Savory Stew [M]

Dogswell Grain Free Puppy Chicken Hearty Loaf (2 stars) [A]

Dogswell Grain Free Turkey Savory Stew was selected to represent the other products in the line for this review.

Dogswell Grain Free Turkey Savory Stew

Canned Dog Food

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

Protein = 44% | Fat = 22% | Carbs = 25%

Ingredients: Turkey, chicken broth, water sufficient for processing, chicken liver, carrots, peas, dried egg product, dried ground peas, salmon (source of omega 3 fatty acids), dried chickpeas, dried egg whites, guar gum, natural flavor, tricalcium phosphate, spinach, menhaden fish oil ((, source of docosahexaenoic acid) (preserved with mixed tocopherols)), salt, sodium tripolyphosphate, potassium chloride, minerals (zinc amino acid chelate, iron amino acid chelate, copper amino acid chelate, manganese amino acid chelate, sodium selenite, cobalt amino acid chelate, potassium iodide), vitamins (vitamin E supplement, thiamine mononitrate, niacin supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, vitamin A supplement, riboflavin supplement, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid), choline chloride, dried cranberries, dried blueberries, dried tomatoes, rosemary extract

Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 5.6%

Red items indicate controversial ingredients

Estimated Nutrient ContentMethodProteinFatCarbsGuaranteed Analysis8%4%NADry Matter Basis44%22%25%Calorie Weighted Basis36%44%21%

Protein = 36% | Fat = 44% | Carbs = 21%

The first ingredient in this dog food is turkey. Turkey is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of turkey”.1

Turkey is naturally rich in the ten essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.

The second ingredient is chicken broth. Broths are of only modest nutritional value. Yet because they add both flavor and moisture to a dog food, they are a common addition component in many canned products.

The third ingredient is water, which adds nothing but moisture to this food. Water is a routine finding in most canned dog foods.

The fourth ingredient is chicken liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.

The fifth ingredient includes carrots. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.

The sixth ingredient lists peas. Peas are a quality source of carbohydrates. And like all legumes, they’re rich in natural fiber.

However, peas contain about 25% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this dog food.

The seventh ingredient is dried egg product, a dehydrated form of shell-free eggs. Quality can vary significantly. Lower grade egg product can even come from commercial hatcheries — from eggs that have failed to hatch.

In any case, eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.

The eighth ingredient includes dried peas. Dried peas are a good source of carbohydrates. Plus they’re naturally rich in dietary fiber.

However, dried peas contain about 27% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this dog food.

The ninth ingredient is salmon. Salmon is an oily marine and freshwater fish not only high in protein but also omega 3 fatty acids, essential oils needed by every dog to sustain life.

From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.

But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this product.

With three notable exceptions…

First, we find dried chickpeas in this recipe. Chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans) are a good source of carbohydrates. Plus they’re naturally rich in dietary fiber.

However, dried chickpeas contain about 27% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this dog food.

Next, this food includes menhaden oil. Menhaden are small ocean fish related to herring. Their oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids, two high quality fats boasting the highest bio-availability to both dogs and humans.

What’s more, in their mid-depth habitat, menhaden are not as likely to be exposed to mercury contamination as is typical with deep water species.

And lastly, this food contains chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.

Dogswell Grain Free Canned Dog Food The Bottom Line

Judging by its ingredients alone, Dogswell Grain Free looks like an above-average canned dog food.

But ingredient quality by itself cannot tell the whole story. We still need to estimate the product’s meat content before determining a final rating.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 44%, a fat level of 22% and estimated carbohydrates of about 25%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 45% and a mean fat level of 27%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 21% for the overall product line.

And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 60%.

Above-average protein. Above-average fat. And below-average carbs when compared to a typical wet dog food.

When you consider the protein-boosting effect of the peas, dried peas and dried chickpeas, this looks like the profile of a wet product containing a notable amount of meat.

Bottom line?

Dogswell Grain Free is a meat-based canned dog food using a notable amount of named meats as its main sources of animal protein, thus earning the brand 4.5 stars.

Highly recommended.

Please note certain recipes are sometimes given a higher or lower rating based upon our estimate of their total meat content and (when appropriate) their fat-to-protein ratios.

Dogswell Dog Food Recall History

The following list (if present) includes all dog food recalls since 2009 directly related to this product line. If there are no recalls listed in this section, we have not yet reported any events.

Nutrisca Dog Food Recall (2/11/2015)

Dogswell Recalls Dog and Cat Jerky Treats (7/27/2013)

You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls sorted by date. Or view the same list sorted alphabetically by brand.

To learn why our ratings have nothing to do with a product’s recall history, please visit our Dog Food Recalls FAQ page.

Get free dog food recall alerts sent to you by email. Subscribe to The Advisor’s recall notification list.

Dog Food Coupons and Discounts

Readers are invited to check for coupons and discounts shared by others in our Dog Food Coupons Forum.

Or click the buying tip below. Please be advised we receive a fee for referrals made to the following online store.

Buying Tip

Get 20% Off + Free Shipping on Dogswell Dog Food Click for Details

A Final Word

The descriptions and analyses expressed in this and every article on this website represent the views and opinions of the author.

The Dog Food Advisor does not test dog food products.

We rely entirely on the integrity of the information provided by each company. As such, the accuracy of every review is directly dependent upon the specific data a company chooses to share.

Although it's our goal to ensure all the information on this website is correct, we cannot guarantee its completeness or its accuracy; nor can we commit to ensuring all the material is kept up-to-date on a daily basis.

We rely on tips from readers. To report a product change or request an update of any review, please contact us using this form.

Each review is offered in good faith and has been designed to help you make a more informed decision when buying dog food.

However, due to the biological uniqueness of every animal, none of our ratings are intended to suggest feeding a particular product will result in a specific dietary response or health benefit for your pet.

For a better understanding of how we analyze each product, please read our article, "The Problem with Dog Food Reviews".

Remember, no dog food can possibly be appropriate for every life stage, lifestyle or health condition. So, choose wisely. And when in doubt, consult a qualified veterinary professional for help.

In closing, we do not accept money, gifts or samples from pet food companies in exchange for special consideration in the preparation of our reviews or ratings.

However, we do receive a fee from Chewy.com for each purchase made as a direct result of a referral from our website. This fee is a fixed dollar amount and has nothing to do with the size of an order or the brand selected for purchase.

Have an opinion about this dog food? Or maybe the review itself? Please know we welcome your comments.

Notes and Updates

06/29/2017 Last Update

Adapted by the Dog Food Advisor and based upon the official definition for chicken published by the Association of American Feed Control Officials, Official Publication, 2008 Edition ↩

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centralparkpawsblog · 5 years ago

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WholeHearted Dog Food Brand Review

https://www.centralparkpaws.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/51CTLlsRCEL.jpg

Before I owned my own dog, I didn’t realize they could get tired of their old food.

My family’s dogs always jumped at the chance to eat their next meal. Maggie isn’t quite the same.

Sometimes she gets tired of eating the same thing everyday and I can’t blame her.

Still, it’s always a surprise when she stops chomping away at her food.

It always makes me curious about what’s the next best brand for her to try.

Recently, I discovered the WholeHearted dog food brand. My personal goal in finding dog food for Maggie is to get a blend that doesn’t contain fillers but still fits my budget.

Here’s everything I’ve learned about WholeHearted while I researched them, so you can see if it’s right for your dog too.

Brand Overview

Click the image for more info

The history of a brand says a lot about them, but there’s not much to read about WholeHearted.

It’s a dog and cat food brand that PetCo produces.

PetCo is one of the leading pet stores in America[1], known for its quality products at affordable prices.

I’ve only ever had great experiences with PetCo products, so I trust that they know what they’re doing with dog food too.

A closer look at the brand’s formulas and ingredients gives owners a further look into the quality of the food.

Ingredients

The ingredients listed in the Limited Ingredient Salmon recipe

Depending on which formula you think your dog would prefer, the ingredients will differ.

There are regular, grain-free, and limited ingredient flavors for your dog to try, based on their nutritional needs.

Every blend is based in animal protein, which is crucial for a dog’s development[2]. It’s easier for them to digest and provides a healthy source of energy for their metabolism.

The protein comes from a mix of whole meat and meat meals, which are both great for a dog’s nutrition.

If you’re worried about meat meal, put your worries aside.

It’s a ground form of whole meats that has its moisture removed[3] so the company can pack more protein into each batch.

If it’s in the first few ingredients on a package, that’s a good sign that you’re buying high quality food.

Features

Given that the average price is around $25 per fourteen-pound bag, the features of this dog food are endless.

Whole meats are always the first ingredient, no matter which formula you buy.

They also all contain probiotics specifically catered for dogs, even the ones with sensitive stomachs.

The probiotics will help your dog’s gut digest the Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins that keep them happy and healthy.

As an owner of a Goldendoodle with skin issues, fatty acids mean my dog doesn’t have to itch herself all day long.

Plus, the grain-free formulas are priced the same as every other blend.

You’ll save money without compromising on the nutritional needs of your dog or the ingredients, whether your dog prefers wet or dry food.

I know a few people who happily pay over $60 per bag of dog food because they want grain-free food for their pup.

WholeHearted provides a welcome option for dog parents who can’t afford to pay that much for premium food.

What I Liked

I like that this is a PetCo brand.

Maggie goes to the vet and gets groomed there, so it’s easy to pick up a bag if she’s running low on food.

Because the brand is sold by a major company, it’s also available online so you don’t need to run to the store if you’re busy.

Beyond the ease of purchase and the fantastic price, I love that the ingredients are based out of whole meats and essential nutrients.

I’ve done my time researching brands only to find that they use fillers or additives to make their food cheaper.

It’s nice to know that Maggie can eat food that fits my budget, without giving up any nutrition she needs.

Another big win—WholeHearted has never had a recall[4], which most brands can’t say. It means they care about their ingredients and production process, all the way from start to finish.

Another brand to check out is Blue Buffalo! Blue Buffalo has had more recalls, but does that make them an untrustworthy brand?

What I Didn’t Like

As much as I like this brand, it is a little high in carbs.

Most dog foods aim to be higher in protein, since it fuels the metabolism and helps dogs grow.

This brand contains more carbs than protein, so older or less active dogs may need to adjust to a smaller portion size.

Some dogs may also find that they go to the bathroom more frequently after they switch to this brand because it does include legumes and lentils.

They’re carb sources dogs can digest, but they might take some time for the dogs’ digestive system to get used to.

Recommendation

This is a great dog food alternative for most dogs to try. Each formula uses high quality ingredients to make a great meal. The price can’t be beat and it’s easy to order.

I “Wholehearted”-ly recommend this brand! (I had to do it!)

As long as you introduce it to your dog slowly to allow them time to adjust to the new food, they’ll soon become a fan too.

Check Price

Find Varieties

Alternatives

If you’re looking for other brands to compare with WholeHearted, check out these contenders to see what you think.

Depending on where you live and what your budget is, they could be something worth looking into while you’re searching for your dog’s next bag of food.

Diamond

When you want to check out a brand that also prides itself on using whole ingredients, take a look at Diamond[5].

They’re a family-owned business that makes all their dog food in the USA.

They provide their nutritional philosophy and ingredient glossary right on their website so it’s easy to research.

Victor Premium Pet Food

Around the same price as WholeHearted, Victor is a Texas-based dog food brand that prides itself on heartland ingredients[6].

Their four main ingredients boost the immune system, help with digestion and support the metabolism of any dog who eats their kibble.

They also locally source many of their ingredients so they help the local economy.

Eagle Natural Pet Food

Eagle takes a different approach to their production process, working with trainers and nutritionists to make the right blend for every dog.

For just over thirty years, they’ve made dog food that helps a dog’s coat, digestive tract and energy levels.

Their formula specializes in grains and fatty acids to fuel any adventure your dog might have[7].

Resources

http://www.petbusiness.com/February-2016/The-Top-25-Pet-Retailers-in-North-America/

https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/evr_dg_focusing_on_protein_in_the_diet

https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/evr_pet_food_for_your_pets_sake

https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/safety-health/recalls-withdrawals

https://www.diamondpet.com/about/

https://victorpetfood.com/about-us

https://www.eaglepack.com/aboutus.aspx

The post WholeHearted Dog Food Brand Review appeared first on Central Park Paws.

from https://www.centralparkpaws.net/dog-food/wholehearted-dog-food-brand-review/

#dogs #cats #pets #reviews

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centralparkpawsblog · 5 years ago

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Nutro vs Blue Buffalo

https://www.centralparkpaws.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/518aeeVAqtL.jpg The other day I received a panicked call from a friend, Sarah, who just got her first dog.

Her panic was over the abundance of choices of kibble at the pet store, which as a dog parent I totally get.

Her new dog is a medium-sized mix breed. The shelter guessed the dog to be about six years old.

Because she wasn’t sure about the breed or the personality of the dog, I suggested she start with a non-specialty formula, meaning not grain-free or for a specific activity level.

The gal working at the store suggested Nutro and Blue Buffalo.

Unfortunately, these were brands I wasn’t familiar with, so I had to hop online and do some research.

On the surface, both companies looked pretty similar, offering a price-friendly well-balanced food.

I wanted to delve a bit deeper into each company and learn more about their histories and overall product lines.

I was able to find some pretty interesting information about the two companies, though the nicest surprise was the numerous recipe varieties each company offers.

Curious how Blue Buffalo stacks up against other brands? Check out this brand’s comparison with Merrick and Taste of the Wild!

Nutro Company History

Nutro was started by Herben Serois in September of 1931, in Santa Monica, California[1].

Nutro originally sold dog, cat, and fox food to the pet food industry.

In 1942, Mr. Serois passed away at the age of 63.

There is some confusion as to when Mr. Saleen purchased Nutro, but recent evidence shows he purchased Nutro in 1947, not 1926[2].

Nutro was a family operated company until 1975, at which point it was sold for the 3rd time.

There is no documentation regarding who ran the company between the death of Mr. Serois and when Mr. Saleen later purchased it.

Ed Brown, Dave Traitel, and the other unnamed silent partners purchased Nutro in 1975[3].

Between 1975 and 2005, Mr. Brown eventually bought out his partners and took over sole ownership of Nutro until 2005.

A company by the name of Bain & Associates bought the company in 2005 but only kept it for two years, until 2007.

In 2007, Mars Incorporated purchased Nutro[4], making it once again a family owned and operated pet food company.

Nutro has 5 Different Dry Dog Food Lines

Nutro offers special recipes within each of the five different food lines for different life stages, weight management, and different breed sizes.

The five food lines they offer are:

Ultra

Grain Free

Wholesome Essentials

Limited Ingredient Diet

Max

Nutro 3 Best Selling Dry Dog Foods

Wholesome Essentials Natural Adult Chicken, Brown Rice & Sweet Potato

Max Natural Adult with Farm Raised Chicken

Wholesome Essentials Adult Lamb and Rice

Blue Buffalo Company History

The inspiration behind Blue Buffalo is an Airedale named Blue[5].

The business was started in 2003 by Bill Bishop.

Blue Buffalo was initially a small family owned company; however, in 2018, the Bishop family sold the business to General Mills.

Blue Buffalo Varieties

Blue Buffalo has 5 different dry dog food lines:

Blue Life Protection – There are 23 varieties with specific formulas for adult dogs, puppies, seniors, breed size, and weight management. The Blue Life Protection lines are, “Formulated for the health and well-being,” of dogs.

Freedom Grain-Free – Has 12 different options ranging from puppies to seniors and a couple specific to breed sizes.

Basics Limited – This line is made up of 13 recipes and are all limited-ingredient formulas for dogs with food sensitivities. There are unique blends for weight management, puppies, adults, and seniors. Also, they have foods based on breed size as well.

Blue Wilderness– Like the other diets, they have individual formulas for different life stages and breed sizes. This line was, “Inspired by the diet of wolves, true omnivores whose endurance is legendary,” and is a grain-free high protein option.

Blue Natural Veterinary Diet – Exclusive to vet clinics.

Blue Buffalo 3 Best Selling Dry Dog Foods

Life Protection Formula Natural Adult Chicken and Brown Rice

Life Protection Formula Natural Adult Lamb and Brown Rice

Wilderness High Protein Grain Free Natural Adult Salmon

Nutro Recalls

In the last ten years, Nutro has only had one recall that affected their dog food products.

The recall occurred in September of 2009 when they discovered plastic on their production line[6].

The following is a list of foods involved:

Nutro Ultra Puppy

Nutro Natural Choice Chicken Meal Rice

Oatmeal Formula Small Bites Puppy

Since the 2009 recall due to plastic on the production line, there hasn’t been any other recalls on their dry dog food.

Blue Buffalo Recalls

Blue Buffalo has had six recalls in the last ten years involving their dog food products:

March 2017 – Blue Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Red Meat Dinner Wet Food for Adult Dogs, due to high levels of beef thyroid hormones[7].

February 2017 – Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Healthy Weight, Chicken Dinner with Garden Vegetables, 12.5 ounce can, due to possible aluminum contamination[8].

February 2017 – The following varieties packaged in the 3.5 oz cup were impacted due to packaging issues with the foil cover[9]:

BLUE Divine Delights Filet Mignon Flavor in Gravy

BLUE Divine Delights New York Strip Flavor in Gravy

BLUE Divine Delights Prime Rib Flavor in Gravy

BLUE Divine Delights Rotisserie Chicken Flavor in Gravy

BLUE Divine Delights Pate Filet Mignon Flavor

BLUE Divine Delights Pate Porterhouse Flavor

BLUE Divine Delights Pate Grilled Chicken Flavor

BLUE Divine Delights Pate Top Sirloin Flavor

BLUE Divine Delights Pate Angus Beef Flavor

BLUE Divine Delights Pate Roasted Turkey Flavor

BLUE Divine Delights Pate with Bacon, Egg, and Cheese

BLUE Divine Delights Pate Sausage, Egg and Cheese Flavor

BLUE Divine Delights Pate Steak and Egg Flavor

BLUE Wilderness Trail Trays Duck Grill

BLUE Wilderness Trail Trays Beef Grill

BLUE Wilderness Trail Trays Chicken Grill

BLUE Wilderness Trail Trays Turkey Grill

Does “New and Improved!” mean “Salmonella free”?

May 2016 – 30lb Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Fish & Sweet Potato Recipe, due to high moisture content[10].

November 2015 – Cub Size Wilderness Wild Chews Bones, due to possible salmonella contamination[11].

October 2010 – The following foods were impacted due to possible excess Vitamin D[12]:

4.5#, 11#, 24# Blue Wilderness Chicken Flavor dry dog food

11#, 24# Blue Basics Limited Ingredient Formula Salmon and Potato Recipe dry dog food

30# Blue Life Protection Formula Natural Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Large Breed Adult dog food

Most of these were voluntary recalls made due to the possibility of contamination, with no or minimal negative effects.

What’s Important When Choosing a Dog Food?

Obviously, we know that ingredients are essential in deciding which food would be the best match for our dog, but numerous other factors impact our buying decision.

There are two groups of elements that help us decide on the best dog food choice for our dogs.

The first group is the primary factors that directly relate to our dog’s specific needs, and the other group is the secondary aspects that aren’t related to our dogs.

Primary Factors

Health – Heart or kidney disease, GI issues such as chronic pancreatitis or irritable bowel disease, allergies, and so on can require dietary changes

Size

Age

Weight (gain or loss)

Energy Level

Secondary Factors

The dog food company’s reputation

Availability

Ingredients

Where the food is manufactured

Where the ingredients are sourced

Price

Comparison of Nutro vs. Blue Buffalo

Ingredients

Winner: Blue Buffalo

This was almost a tie since the two companies have similar product line variations; however, Blue Buffalo has enriched their foods with probiotics and also has a higher fiber, omega-6, and omega-3 fatty acids content.

Another enhancement Blue Buffalo made to their products was to add BLUE LifeSource Bits, which are a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.

Nutro does have impressive, extensive food lines. It is worth noting that their dry dog foods are all made up of non-GMO ingredients.

Price/Value

Winner: Nutro

The average price per pound for Nutro is about a dollar fifty and the average price per pound for Blue Buffalo over two dollars.

The X Factor

Winner: Blue Buffalo

Blue Buffalo’s exclusive LifeSource Bits are unique, and the added bump in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals is a definite bonus in any dog food.

Availability

Winner: Blue Buffalo

Blue Buffalo is available in almost all large pet stores, some boutique stores (but only select lines), some large hardware stores, and grocery store chains.

Nutro is available in most of the large chain stores like Pet Smart, Target, and Walmart, but not as many places as Blue Buffalo.

You can find Nutro at both Amazon and Chewy.

You can get Blue Buffalo from both Amazon and Chewy as well.

Taste

Winner: Blue Buffalo

Dogs seem to prefer Blue Buffalo over Nutro.

The ingredient lists are similar, so there’s no apparent reason that stands out as to why one is preferred over the other except for the vagaries of taste.

Overall

Winner: Blue Buffalo

Blue Buffalo and Nutro are very similar products, but Blue Buffalo is available at more retailers, has the LifeSource Bits, and more importantly, the dogs’ votes!

Conclusion

If you are deciding between the two brands and are unable to choose between the two, maybe consider the fat and protein content.

The crude analyses between the foods vary and depending on your dog’s needs, and those might be worth factoring into your decision.

Also, if you are purchasing the food from a pet food retailer, many will let you return the open bag of food if your dog doesn’t eat it.

Resources

http://billiondollarkibble.com/lineage/herben-serois/

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cooper-consulting-group-inc-publishes-new-book-billion-dollar-kibble—nutros-story-of-pioneering-among-giants-300513717.html

http://billiondollarkibble.com/lineage/john-saleen/

https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=4360956

https://bluebuffalo.com/why-choose-blue/blue-story/

http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-recall/nutro-dog-food-recall-2009-sep/

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/blue-buffalo-voluntarily-recalls-one-lot-blue-wildernessr-rocky-mountain-recipe-tm-red-meat-dinner

https://bluebuffalo.com/about-us/whats-new-at-blue/bb-homestyle-recipe-letter/

https://www.ohiovma.org/news/?p=3399

https://www.petsmartcorporate.com/blank-1/2016/05/27/USPR-Voluntary-Product-Recall-of-30lb-Blue-Buffalo-Life-Protection-Formula-Fish-Sweet-Potato-Recipe-for-Dogs-%E2%80%93-May-27-2016

http://wayback.archive-it.org/7993/20170112071547/http:/www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ArchiveRecalls/2015/ucm474573.htm

http://wayback.archive-it.org/7993/20170112111823/http:/www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ArchiveRecalls/2010/ucm228986.htm

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brandavenniehe · 8 years ago

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Bravo Canine Cafe (Canned)

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Bravo Canine Cafe Dog Food receives the Advisor’s top rating of 5 stars.

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The Bravo Canine Cafe product line includes six canned dog foods, each claimed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages.

The following is a list of recipes available at the time of this review.

Bravo Canine Cafe Beef Fricassee

Bravo Canine Cafe Turkey Fricassee

Bravo Canine Cafe Chicken Fricassee

Bravo Canine Cafe 95% Rabbit, Pork and Liver

Bravo Canine Cafe 95% Chicken and Liver (2.5 stars)

Bravo Canine Cafe 95% Beef, Turkey and Liver (4.5 stars)

Bravo Canine Cafe Beef Fricassee was selected to represent the other products in the line for this review.

Bravo Canine Cafe Beef Fricassee

Canned Dog Food

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

Protein = 53% | Fat = 25% | Carbs = 14%

Ingredients: Beef, beef broth, vegetable broth, beef liver, beef heart, dried eggs, natural flavor, agar-agar, sunflower oil, cranberries, green beans, dried green lipped mussels, salmon oil, tricalcium phosphate, dandelion greens, parsley, salt, calcium carbonate, turmeric, choline chloride, potassium chloride, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, sodium selenite, calcium iodate, vitamin E supplement, thiamine mononitrate, niacin supplement, calcium pantothenate, biotin, vitamin A supplement, riboflavin supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid

Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 5.6%

Red items indicate controversial ingredients

Estimated Nutrient ContentMethodProteinFatCarbsGuaranteed Analysis10%5%NADry Matter Basis53%25%14%Calorie Weighted Basis41%48%11%

Protein = 41% | Fat = 48% | Carbs = 11%

The first ingredient in this dog food is beef. Beef is defined as “the clean flesh derived from slaughtered cattle” and includes skeletal muscle or the muscle tissues of the tongue, diaphragm, heart or esophagus.1

Beef is naturally rich in all ten essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.

The next two items include beef and vegetable broths. Broths are of only modest nutritional value. Yet because they add both flavor and moisture to a dog food, they are a common addition component in many canned products.

The fourth ingredient is beef liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.

The fifth ingredient is beef heart. Although it doesn’t sound very appetizing to us humans, heart tissue is pure muscle — all meat. It’s naturally rich in quality protein, minerals and complex B vitamins, too.

The sixth ingredient includes dried eggs, a dehydrated powder made from shell-free eggs. Eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.

After the natural flavor, we find agar agar, a natural vegetable gelatin derived from the cell walls of certain species of red algae. Agar is rich in fiber and is used in wet pet foods as a gelling agent.

From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.

But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this product.

With three notable exceptions…

First, we find sunflower oil. Sunflower oil is nutritionally similar to safflower oil. Since these oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids and contain no omega-3’s, they’re considered less nutritious than canola or flaxseed oils.

Sunflower oil is notable for its resistance to heat damage during cooking.

There are several different types of sunflower oil, some better than others. Without knowing more, it’s impossible to judge the quality of this ingredient.

Next, this food includes salmon oil. Salmon oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high quality fats boast the highest bio-availability to dogs and humans.

Depending on its level of freshness and purity, salmon oil should be considered a commendable addition.

And lastly, this food contains chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.

Bravo Canine Cafe Dog Food The Bottom Line

Judging by its ingredients alone, Bravo Canine Cafe looks like an above-average wet dog food.

But ingredient quality by itself cannot tell the whole story. We still need to estimate the product’s meat content before determining a final rating.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 53%, a fat level of 25% and estimated carbohydrates of about 14%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 50% and a mean fat level of 32%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 10% for the overall product line.

And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 65%.

Above-average protein. Above-average fat. And below-average carbs when compared to a typical canned dog food.

Free of any plant-based protein boosters, this looks like the profile of a wet dog food containing an abundance of meat.

Bottom line?

Bravo Canine Cafe is a meat-based canned dog food using a significant amount of named meats as its main sources of animal protein, thus earning the brand 5 stars.

Enthusiastically recommended.

Please note certain recipes are sometimes given a higher or lower rating based upon our estimate of their total meat content and (when appropriate) their fat-to-protein ratios.

Bravo Dog Food Recall History

The following list (if present) includes all dog food recalls since 2009 directly related to this product line. If there are no recalls listed in this section, we have not yet reported any events.

Bravo Dog Food Recall December 2015 (12/10/2015)

Bravo Dog Food Recall July 2015 (7/23/2015)

Bravo Dog and Cat Food Recall (9/26/2014)

Bravo! Dog and Cat Food Recall (5/14/2014)

Bravo! Raw Frozen Dog Food Recall (4/3/2013)

Warning Issued for Bravo! and Steve’s Real Raw Pet Foods (3/13/2013)

You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls sorted by date. Or view the same list sorted alphabetically by brand.

To learn why our ratings have nothing to do with a product’s recall history, please visit our Dog Food Recalls FAQ page.

Get free dog food recall alerts sent to you by email. Subscribe to The Advisor’s recall notification list.

Dog Food Coupons and Discounts

Readers are invited to check for coupons and discounts shared by others in our Dog Food Coupons Forum.

Or click the buying tip below. Please be advised we receive a fee for referrals made to the following online store.

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A Final Word

The descriptions and analyses expressed in this and every article on this website represent the views and opinions of the author.

The Dog Food Advisor does not test dog food products.

We rely entirely on the integrity of the information provided by each company. As such, the accuracy of every review is directly dependent upon the specific data a company chooses to share.

We rely on tips from readers. To report a product change or request an update of any review, please contact us using this form.

Each review is offered in good faith and has been designed to help you make a more informed decision when buying dog food.

For a better understanding of how we analyze each product, please read our article, "The Problem with Dog Food Reviews".

Remember, no dog food can possibly be appropriate for every life stage, lifestyle or health condition. So, choose wisely. And when in doubt, consult a qualified veterinary professional for help.

In closing, we do not accept money, gifts or samples from pet food companies in exchange for special consideration in the preparation of our reviews or ratings.

Have an opinion about this dog food? Or maybe the review itself? Please know we welcome your comments.

Notes and Updates

03/14/2017 Last Update

Association of American Feed Control Officials ↩

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