AboutKC Expertise I can answer questions related to feline and canine diet including questions regarding ingredients, by-products, nutrients, raw diets, brand named products, etc. I can also answer questions related to pet health, behavior, grooming, and general animal management.
***Before asking a question, please read my past answers as they will more than likely answer your question:
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Cat-Food-3490/indexExp_83830.htm
*****I'm happy to announce a new forum*****
http://petfoods.freeforums.org
Experience I have done research on the relationship between feline diet and feline diabetes due to my personal experience in dealing with one of my own cats. I am a pet lover and always have numerous cats and dogs. I believe in feeding a high quality and by-product free diet. Diet alone cured my diabetic cat as well as either cured or significantly helped many others.
Education/Credentials Bachelor's Degree in Biological Sciences and years of
experience working as a Veterinary Technician
Question QUESTION: I have read your responses about good quality cat/kitten food. Please let me know if my 4 month old kitten is getting enough protien and nutrients. The package also says fortified with vitamins and minerals; has friuts and veggies too. -Also is it ok to mix the dry food with vitagravy? (Vitamins in the form of a sauce-like liquid.)Someone told me that wetting dry food will allow bacteria to grow on the surface of the kibbles, because they are coated with a layer of fat... Is this true??
Ingredients as listed: Chicken, Chicken meal,Oat groats, Rice Protein concentrate, Ground whole grain barley,Turkey meal, Menhaden fish meal, Chicken fat preserved with mixed tocopherols (form of vitamin E), dried carrots, dried bananas, papaya, apples, (Taurine too)....other ingredients as well, but I think you get the main idea.
ANSWER: Hi Rosanne -
Many thanks for reading some of my past responses before posting a question. I really appreciate it!
Sadly, you can't simply go by ingredients on a label...you have to go by a brand name also...and one that states they contain organic and human grade ingredients. When you simply see ingredients listed...you have no idea the actual source of those ingredients unless you are somewhat familiar with the brand name and know what quality of food they manufacture...which is not a simple thing to find out. Thus, you really want to look for a product that states organic, by-product free, grain free, etc. Only the truly premium foods (which make a point of not using cheap fillers and potentially harmful by-products) will boldly state on their label that they are human-grade, grain-free, etc. Pet food grade food is horrible...as the pet food industry's standards are incredibly low...pretty disgusting in fact. Therefore, if the company is willing to go the extra step to use human-grade ingredients in their products then they care about the finished product and you can assure they won't contain potentially toxic ingredients.
Also, 'fortified' with vitamins and minerals is just a very generalized statement...they could add protein from rendered livestock and euthanized pets (yes, they legally buy this stuff for dirt cheap to put into their foods) and then state on the label that it contains protein, protein concentrate, fats, etc...not to mention a whole plethora of chemical names. "Chicken meal" can be no more than ground heads...or worse...which are the pure trash remains in a slaughter house. So...just going by ingredients is risky without knowing it's made by a reputable company. You kitty doesn't need wheet gluten or many grains though... The same goes for Vitagravy...who makes it? It is by-product free? Grain free? Human grade? Many products that are made to add flavoring are filled with rendered animal fats and chemicals to make them taste good...they are also loaded in sugar...thus the animal will like eating them and the owner will in turn by more of the product. These type products are awful! So...beware and check out the brand. Most all the big name commercial foods are trash and you are better off feeding table scraps and raw...AND adding a truly premium supplement (human-grade) like Feline Platinum Performance...which is a powder that comes in a canister and lasts quite a while...you sprinkle it over each meal. You only need to use it though if you don't ever use a truly premium food that is correctly supplemented.
In addition...adding a liquid to a really premium dry will not matter as long as the food is not left down for over 24 hours. Basically, just add liquid to a meal sized portion which is picked up after twice a day feedings. Fresh food should be mixed for each meal if you choose to add liquid. If you use a cheap commercial food that contains grains (like wheat gluten) which I would never recommend feeding, then adding liquid will cause the product to quickly become rancid and full of bacteria. So...please just check out the brands. If you feed a really premium food, like the ones I'm discussed in past answers, then there is no need to add any supplements at all...those big name ones like they sell at Wal-mart and Petsmart are a total waste of money.
If you have further questions please let me know :-)
I'm not sure what brand you are feeding but just looking at those ingredents...I'm concerned to see grains listed...no truly premium food should contain many if ANY grains...they are a cheap filler and loaded in carbohydrates...carnivores simply were not meant to consume them...let alone in every meal.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: First, I would like to thank you for your thorough answer! I am a little concerned as I believed his kitten food was good quality but not providing enough nutrients. Finding a premium quality food for my little Dash is very important to me. The Brand is Natural Ultramix by Castor & Pollux Pet Works. I have never had a kitten or cat before and am unfamiliar with the reputations of the many brands out there, so any further input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again!
Answer Hi Rosanne,
I'm not personally familiar with that particular brand so will have to do some research on it. I found the company's website: https://www.castorpolluxpet.com/store/things_we_eat
From what I can tell, they are advertising as containing organic ingredients. Their list of ingredients for all of their foods does look good to me. I would recommend dropping them an e-mail or giving them a call. Ask if all of the ingredients are derived from organic, human-grade products. I will try to contact them as well and do further research.
Sorry I can't be of more help right now. However, if it is a truly organic product to continue feeding, the ingredients do look sufficient so that you won't have to provide addition supplements. Also feel free to offer raw chicken, beef, etc. either daily or on occasion. It's great for them.
