When looking for a pet food, look at the first 5 Ingredients. These are the most important ingredients which are most of the content in all pet foods. You want the first 5 to be mostly meat. I found this to be a very difficult search since I feel most kibble is nothing more than a filler with a lot of junk included in them. This list is created merely to help give direction to the pet parent looking for a better cat food. Prices on these foods may be slightly higher than your normal dry foods but your getting a better quality food for your cat.
When feeding your pets, change the food every 3 months so that the pets system won't become nutrient deficient or acquire food intolerance's and allergies as all foods are different and may not offer all that is needed and can further cause health issues. You can also provide some extra supplements to help make up for some of this loss. While seafood is tasty, the concern is mercury in the seafood. Too much and especially daily can cause build up of heavy metals. (Chicken, Beef Liver etc is good but not daily.)
For list of ingredients..see Top Most used.
When feeding your pets, change the food every 3 months so that the pets system won't become nutrient deficient or acquire food intolerance's and allergies as all foods are different and may not offer all that is needed and can further cause health issues. You can also provide some extra supplements to help make up for some of this loss. While seafood is tasty, the concern is mercury in the seafood. Too much and especially daily can cause build up of heavy metals. (Chicken, Beef Liver etc is good but not daily.)
For list of ingredients..see Top Most used.
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The foods listed below are in no particular order. When you click on the photo, it will take you to more information on that particular brand of food if needed. What is listed below is a basic description to help guide you in the right direction. I hope you find this to be helpful in your search. For more information on raw diets..click here.
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I hope you you have gained some knowledge into the pet food industry here on this site and will look further into changing your pets diet ASAP!
When changing from a commercial pet food to a raw or homemade diet, you first need to detox your pet and then add in quality supplements and herbs to build the immune system. It is imperative that you do this or you may continue to deal with allergies and other illnesses from the built up toxins in your pet. Please do your research or speak with a holistic vet before changing anything especially with a pet with a chronic disease.
When changing from a commercial pet food to a raw or homemade diet, you first need to detox your pet and then add in quality supplements and herbs to build the immune system. It is imperative that you do this or you may continue to deal with allergies and other illnesses from the built up toxins in your pet. Please do your research or speak with a holistic vet before changing anything especially with a pet with a chronic disease.
Mycotoxins
Before you start moistening your pet's food to try to replace the missing moisture, you should know about mycotoxins, another potential side effect of the use of grains in pet food. Mycotoxins are naturally occurring fungal by-products that can cause disease and death in dogs and cats. When grains are improperly stored, mycotoxins can develop. Two common forms, both of which have been found in pet food (more commonly in dog food) are aflatoxin and vomitoxin. Although mycotoxins are found worldwide they only become toxic in temperatures above 82 degrees and over 80 percent humidity at which point they interfere with cellular function, and are extremely carcinogenic and immuno-suppressive.
Before you start moistening your pet's food to try to replace the missing moisture, you should know about mycotoxins, another potential side effect of the use of grains in pet food. Mycotoxins are naturally occurring fungal by-products that can cause disease and death in dogs and cats. When grains are improperly stored, mycotoxins can develop. Two common forms, both of which have been found in pet food (more commonly in dog food) are aflatoxin and vomitoxin. Although mycotoxins are found worldwide they only become toxic in temperatures above 82 degrees and over 80 percent humidity at which point they interfere with cellular function, and are extremely carcinogenic and immuno-suppressive.
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Aflatoxin B1 is the most toxic of the aflatoxins and is the most potent liver carcinogen known. Substantial evidence exists to indicate that low-level exposure to aflatoxin may cause suppression of the immune system and increase susceptibility to disease. Young and pregnant animals of all species are extremely sensitive to aflatoxins. Aflatoxin is also excreted in milk of dams and may contribute to reproductive failure. Exposure during pregnancy has resulted in transplacental transfer of aflatoxin to and immune dysfunction in offspring.
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The elimination of mycotoxins in food is extremely expensive. Pet food manufacturers are not known for using the highest quality grains available; they would not be able to keep up their high profit margins if they did. The grains most pet food manufacturers use are those that are not fit for human consumption or are by-products from other processes.
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Most ALL vitamins included in commercial pet foods are synthetic vitamins. The body does not recognize these and they are of no use to your cat for nutritional purposes.
The big words that you can't pronounce in the ingredients list are your synthetic vitamins.
Vitamin A supplement (preserved with BHT, includes processing aids of gelatin, sucrose, modified starch, and uses sodium aluminum as in anti-caking agent).
Vitamin C should not be mixed with iron or copper supplements. Most all added Vitamin C comes from China. I have found one or two that doesn't (not included in pet foods though. Sold separately).
Vitamin E Supplements are preserved with BHT.
Niacin (B3-Made in China)
Vitamin B12 Supplement (Made in China)
Vitamin D3 Supplement (preserved with BHT, includes processing aids of gelatin, sucrose, modified starch, and uses sodium aluminum as an anti-caking agent)
Riboflavin Supplement (B2, Made in China)
The big words that you can't pronounce in the ingredients list are your synthetic vitamins.
Vitamin A supplement (preserved with BHT, includes processing aids of gelatin, sucrose, modified starch, and uses sodium aluminum as in anti-caking agent).
Vitamin C should not be mixed with iron or copper supplements. Most all added Vitamin C comes from China. I have found one or two that doesn't (not included in pet foods though. Sold separately).
Vitamin E Supplements are preserved with BHT.
Niacin (B3-Made in China)
Vitamin B12 Supplement (Made in China)
Vitamin D3 Supplement (preserved with BHT, includes processing aids of gelatin, sucrose, modified starch, and uses sodium aluminum as an anti-caking agent)
Riboflavin Supplement (B2, Made in China)
Be aware of the difference between synthetic and natural vitamins. Synthetic supplements are manufactured with unnatural ingredients and chemicals. They are made to mimic natural vitamins but not everyone is convinced of their efficacy.
The Best Dishes to Use to Feed Your Cat
Use ceramic, glass, or high quality stainless steel bowls to feed your cat, and make sure they’re heavy enough that they won’t tip or spill while he’s eating. Don’t use plastic bowls, They contain BPA as well as plastic is a breeding ground for germs, and it can retain the smell of cleaning products and previous meals, which may discourage your cat from eating.
Do not use strong detergents or bleach to clean your cat’s food and water dishes, as these products can be toxic. Instead, wash bowls between feedings with a mild dishwashing detergent, and always rinse thoroughly.
Use ceramic, glass, or high quality stainless steel bowls to feed your cat, and make sure they’re heavy enough that they won’t tip or spill while he’s eating. Don’t use plastic bowls, They contain BPA as well as plastic is a breeding ground for germs, and it can retain the smell of cleaning products and previous meals, which may discourage your cat from eating.
Do not use strong detergents or bleach to clean your cat’s food and water dishes, as these products can be toxic. Instead, wash bowls between feedings with a mild dishwashing detergent, and always rinse thoroughly.
Click on image to go to product website
Dr. Harvey's Oracle Grain-Free Fish Formula Dry Cat Food
Ingredients:
Freeze-Dried Cod, Whole Egg, Chicken, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Flax Seed Meal, Calcium Citrate, Green Beans, Zucchini, Broccoli, Peas, Beets, Parsley, Dried Yeast, Lecithin, Alfalfa, Dried Kelp, Ground Flaxseed, Dried Ground Fenugreek, Dried Ground Fennel, Dried Ground Ginger, Dried Ground Peppermint, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Vitamin E Supplement, Manganese Proteinate, Vitamin A Acetate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid. |
Sojos Turkey Complete Cat Food
Ingredients:
USDA turkey, sweet potato, whole egg, broccoli, celery, apples, flax meal, pecans, tricalcium phosphate, pumpkin, cranberries, basil, dried alfalfa, ginger root, dried kelp, zinc sulfate, vitamin E acetate, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D3. |
ZiwiPeak Daily Cuisine Grain-Free Air-Dried Cat Food
Ingredients:
Lamb Meat (min 61.2%), Liver (min 15%), Tripe, Heart and Kidney (min 9.5%); Chicory Syrup; Green-lipped and Blue Mussel* (min 4%); Hoki Fish Oil; Lecithin; Kelp; Vitamins and Minerals. Naturally preserved with mixed tocopherols. Additives: Vitamin D3, Vitamin E, Copper. |
Rawz Meal Free Dry Cat Food - Dehydrated Chicken, Turkey & Chicken Recipe
Ingredients:
Dehydrated Chicken, Dehydrated Deboned Chicken, Chicken, Turkey, Chicken Liver, Turkey Liver, Turkey Hearts, Pea Starch, Tapioca Starch, Dried Peas, Natural Chicken Flavor, Dried Egg Product, Flaxseeds, Dried Tomato Pomace, Salt, Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride. Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, d-calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Acetate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid), Minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Calcium Carbonate, Manganous Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite, Cobalt Carbonate, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide), Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Taurine, Citric Acid (Preservative), Rosemary Extract. |
Stella and Chewys Tummy Ticklin Turkey Freeze Dried
Ingredients:
Turkey (ground with bone), Turkey Liver, Turkey Gizzard, Pumpkin Seed, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Phosphate Monobasic, Choline Chloride, Dried Pediococcus acidilactici fermentation product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, Dried Bifidobacterium longum fermentation product, Dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, Taurine, Tocopherols (preservative), Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Riboflavin, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Manganese Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin B12 Supplement. |
Orijen Dry Cat Food-Chicken
Ingredients:
Deboned Chicken, Deboned Turkey, Yellowtail Flounder, Whole Eggs, Whole Atlantic Mackerel, Chicken Liver, Turkey Liver, Whole Atlantic Herring, Chicken Heart, Turkey Heart, Dehydrated Chicken, Dehydrated Turkey, Dehydrated Mackerel, Dehydrated Chicken Liver, Dehydrated Turkey Liver, Whole Green Peas, Whole Navy Beans, Red Lentils, Chicken Necks, Chicken Kidney, Chicken Fat, Pinto Beans, Chickpeas, Green Lentils, Alfalfa, Natural Chicken flavor, Alfalfa, Herring Oil, Ground Chicken Bone, Chicken Cartilage, Turkey Cartilage, Dried Kelp, Freeze-Dried Chicken Liver, Freeze-Dried Turkey Liver, Whole Pumpkin, Whole Butternut Squash, Kale, Spinach, Mustard Greens, Collard Greens, Turnip Greens, Whole Carrots, Apples, Pears, Pumpkin Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Choline Chloride, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Chicory Root, Turmeric, Sarsaparilla Root, Althea Root, Rosehips, Juniper Berries, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Animalis Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product. |
Go! Fit + Free Grain Free Chicken, Turkey and Duck Recipe Dry Cat Food
Ingredients:
Chicken Meal, De-boned Chicken, Deboned Turkey, Duck Meal, Turkey Meal, Salmon Meal, De-boned Trout, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), potatoes, peas, natural fish flavor, natural chicken flavor, salmon, duck, salmon meal, duck meal, salmon oil, dried whole egg, Phosphoric Acid, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, choline chloride, prebiotics - (chicory root extract, mannanoligosaccharides), pumpkin, apples, carrots, bananas, blueberries, cranberries, lentil Beans, broccoli, spinach, cottage cheese, alfalfa sprouts, garlic, probiotics ( Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Casei, Enterococcus Faecium, Bifido-bacterium Thermophilum), Vitamins (vit. E, vit. C, niacin, inositol, vit. A, thiamine mononitrate, d-calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin, vit. K, beta-carotene, vit. D3, folic acid, biotin, vit. B12), Minerals (zinc proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, iron proteinate, copper sulfate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, calcium iodate, sodium selenite), Ascorbyl-polypho. |
Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Real Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food
Ingredients:
Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Chickpeas, Peas, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Flavor, Salt, Organic Dried Alfalfa Meal, Dried Yeast Culture, Ground Flaxseed, Choline Chloride, Minerals (Iron Amino Acid Complex, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Sodium Selenite, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Potassium Iodide, Cobalt Proteinate, Cobalt Carbonate), Phosphoric Acid, Taurine, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Acetate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride), Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product. |
FirstMate Chicken Meal with Blueberries Formula Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Dry Cat Food |
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Ingredients:
Chicken Meal, Potato, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Whole Blueberries, Dl-Methionine, Minerals: (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Cobalt Carbonate, Sodium Selenite), Vitamins: (Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Potassium Chloride, Calcium Propionate (a Preservative), Taurine, Yeast Extract (a Source of Prebiotics), Kale, Glucosamine Hydrochloride. |
