Expert: KC - 4/23/2008

Question
I was just wondering if you have heard of pet promise foods? if so, what is your opinion? I just swithched my cat from Iams to pet promise. i think he likes it & is doing well.I pasted the ingredients for you to look at. Thanks

INGREDIENTS:
Chicken, brewers rice, corn gluten meal, soy flour, pearled barley, dried egg product, fat naturally preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), brewers dried yeast, oat meal, natural flavor, calcium carbonate, soy protein isolate, phosphoric acid, salt, taurine, vitamins [Vitamin E supplement, niacin, Vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, Vitamin D-3 supplement, biotin, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity)], choline chloride, minerals [zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, copper sulfate, calcium iodate, sodium selenite], potassium chloride, calcium phosphate, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate [source of Vitamin C].

Answer
Hi Teresa,

From what I know regarding Pet Promise, it claims to be a by-product free premium food.  It isn't one of the brands that I've extensively researched, called the company, read spec sheets on their products, etc.  I personally try to avoid corn gluten meal or a product that contains a large percentage of it.  However, that is personal preference...just be aware that if you feed a product that contains it, be sure to only feed twice per day and feed set amounts, as many animals tend to put on more weight with it...at least from my experience.  I've absolutely no doubt that it is indeed a MUCH better food than IAMS...most definitely!  
In addition, I highly recommend feeding a combination of canned and/or raw and dry.  Moist food (canned and raw) provides a much more natural food for a cat's digestive tract than a processed and baked kibble...even the most premium kibble on the market.  It digests faster and easier as well as adds essential water/moisture to the diet, as most cats don't drink enough water as it is...cats are meant to derive a lot of water solely from their food.  I normally recommend feeding some dry kibble in order to help clean their teeth.  For people who feed a large quantity of raw meat which includes the bones, then the dry totally isn't necessary.  Just be sure to limit the quantity you are feeding and only feed twice daily...as dry should never be left out for a cat to graze on or obesity and weight-related problems are almost guaranteed in the long run.