Anyone have experience with Halo brand cat food?

auroraei · Mar 6, 2013

My cat is becoming increasingly more finicky with his wet food, but I got him into eating his cat chow out of a SlimCat ball, so if he only wants to eat cat chow, I want to give him a good brand.

I was thinking of trying Halo brands Sensitive Cats dry food, because of his past issue with diareah. The reviews look great. Just wanted more input.

This specifically: http://shop.halopets.com/Dry-Cat-Sensitive/Cat-Dry-Sensitive-Turkey-3lb

ritz · Mar 7, 2013

Yeah, picky cat eaters = unhappy owners.

Halo seems to contain a lot of peas and other stuff cats can't process--and may in fact have problems with (peas). I *do* like that the first ingredient is animal based protein. (There is no real useable protein in pea.) But if this is only a very small percentage of what you are feeding your cat (the rest being--I hope--canned), then it's okay.

(Turkey, Eggs, Pea Protein, Oats, Pearled Barley, Vegetable Broth, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), Whole Peas, Turkey Liver, Salmon, Flax Seed, Salmon Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Pea Fiber, Sweet Potatoes, Apples, Blueberries, Green Beans, Carrots, Cranberries, Zucchini, Alfalfa, Inulin, Calcium Sulfate, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Salt, Vitamins (Folic Acid, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3)
What does your cat do with the other canned (wet) food you're tried?

peaches08 · Mar 7, 2013

Just my opinion, but the grains that high up the list concern me if IBS is an issue.

auroraei · Mar 7, 2013

peaches08 said:
Just my opinion, but the grains that high up the list concern me if IBS is an issue.

But I thought that wasn't a bad grain. Which grain in that food is bad? I mean it's for sensitive stomachs so I don't understand why they'd put bad stuff in it.

auroraei · Mar 7, 2013

Ritz said:
Yeah, picky cat eaters = unhappy owners.

Halo seems to contain a lot of peas and other stuff cats can't process--and may in fact have problems with (peas). I *do* like that the first ingredient is animal based protein. (There is no real useable protein in pea.) But if this is only a very small percentage of what you are feeding your cat (the rest being--I hope--canned), then it's okay.

(Turkey, Eggs, Pea Protein, Oats, Pearled Barley, Vegetable Broth, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), Whole Peas, Turkey Liver, Salmon, Flax Seed, Salmon Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Pea Fiber, Sweet Potatoes, Apples, Blueberries, Green Beans, Carrots, Cranberries, Zucchini, Alfalfa, Inulin, Calcium Sulfate, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Salt, Vitamins (Folic Acid, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3)
What does your cat do with the other canned (wet) food you're tried?

If he keeps refusing wet food I was planning on just putting him on dry. I don't really see the problem with that, I even read reviews people wrote who feed that exact brand and type exclusively and their cats are healthy. Lately my cat has been turning his nose up at every wet brand I buy him. He licks up the broth and lets his food get hard in his bowl.

ritz · Mar 7, 2013

Oats and (Pearled) Barley are grains (and carbohydrates).

Peas and sweet potatoes, while not grains, contain mostly carbohydrates which cats can't process; they don't have the stomach for it (literally).

Apples, Blueberries, Green Beans, Carrots, etc. sound delicious and nutritious: for people. In this case, I believe they are acting as vitamins/minerals.

"Sensitive stomach" formulas can mean a lot of different things, from cats with kidney problems and have to restrict potassium (?), to cats with IBD who only get better on drugs and raw feeding, to cats who have an allergy to chicken, fish, etc. If you suspect an allergy, look for limited ingredient foods.

Those people who feed their cats this exact brand and type exclusively and their cats are healthy may just have cats who are lucky. Ask them again in five years after the damages has been done. And I'm not saying Halo does this, but some companies take down negative posts.

But yes if he keeps licking up the broth and leaving the rest of the food, you have to feed him something; it is dangerous for cats to go too long without eating.

What did the vet say was causing the diarrhea--most likely culprits are allergies, worms, even a sudden change in food you feed him.

Have you tried giving the food a good stir, add some water and perhaps some flavor enhancements like fish flakes or freeze dried chicken or even a few kibble?

auroraei · Mar 7, 2013

Ritz said:
Oats and (Pearled) Barley are grains (and carbohydrates).

Peas and sweet potatoes, while not grains, contain mostly carbohydrates which cats can't process; they don't have the stomach for it (literally).

Apples, Blueberries, Green Beans, Carrots, etc. sound delicious and nutritious: for people. In this case, I believe they are acting as vitamins/minerals.

"Sensitive stomach" formulas can mean a lot of different things, from cats with kidney problems and have to restrict potassium (?), to cats with IBD who only get better on drugs and raw feeding, to cats who have an allergy to chicken, fish, etc. If you suspect an allergy, look for limited ingredient foods.

Those people who feed their cats this exact brand and type exclusively and their cats are healthy may just have cats who are lucky. Ask them again in five years after the damages has been done. And I'm not saying Halo does this, but some companies take down negative posts.

But yes if he keeps licking up the broth and leaving the rest of the food, you have to feed him something; it is dangerous for cats to go too long without eating.

What did the vet say was causing the diarrhea--most likely culprits are allergies, worms, even a sudden change in food you feed him.

Have you tried giving the food a good stir, add some water and perhaps some flavor enhancements like fish flakes or freeze dried chicken or even a few kibble?

I don't understand this. I have family and friends who have fed their cats nothing but cheap Meow Mix and their cats are old and have never had health problems. What is so wrong with the brand I want to buy? I thought it was good

The vet couldn't do a stool sample because his poop was too mucusy but he said 99% chance he had worms and dewormed him and gave me Albon. I'm getting my cat fixed soon and they are going to have to do a stool sample. And yes I've tried basically everything to get him to eat his wet lately, even putting some treats on top.

goholistic · Mar 7, 2013

Hey Auroraei. You didn't mention if the wet food you tried to feed your cat was pate or chunks. My cats do not like chunks and will only eat a fine pate. Chunks in the lower-priced brands are formed using wheat gluten or a gum of some sort; not good for cats.

I think the general consensus among feline nutrition enthusiasts leans towards grain free, low carb, high protein foods as close to their ancestral diet as possible for optimal health. Not everyone can resort to raw feeding, so I encourage you to keep trying with the wet foods. My IBD kitty won't touch any canned food other than the EVO 95% Turkey and Chicken. I have tried every flavor and brand out there, including raw.

Halo is certainly better than Meow Mix, but I agree with others that a dry only diet with ingredients in it that cats wouldn't eat in wild is not ideal. Every cat is different and will respond differently to different foods. One of my cats rips his skin apart if fed grains due to an allergy to grains (I found this out when I did a one-month trial of a low fat food with grains in it to get him to lose weight..never again!). My IBD kitty will vomit or have diarrhea if not on a grain-free limited ingredient diet.

We're happy to provide our opinions and experiences to help you make a decision, but it is ultimately up to you. Listen to your kitty and keep a watch on him. If the food is not agreeing with him, find something that will. Let us know how the fecal exam results come out. I'm curious to know if it's just worms.

auroraei · Mar 7, 2013

GoHolistic said:
Hey Auroraei. You didn't mention if the wet food you tried to feed your cat was pate or chunks. My cats do not like chunks and will only eat a fine pate. Chunks in the lower-priced brands are formed using wheat gluten or a gum of some sort; not good for cats.

I think the general consensus among feline nutrition enthusiasts leans towards grain free, low carb, high protein foods as close to their ancestral diet as possible for optimal health. Not everyone can resort to raw feeding, so I encourage you to keep trying with the wet foods. My IBD kitty won't touch any canned food other than the EVO 95% Turkey and Chicken. I have tried every flavor and brand out there, including raw.

Halo is certainly better than Meow Mix, but I agree with others that a dry only diet with ingredients in it that cats wouldn't eat in wild is not ideal. Every cat is different and will respond differently to different foods. One of my cats rips his skin apart if fed grains due to an allergy to grains (I found this out when I did a one-month trial of a low fat food with grains in it to get him to lose weight..never again!). My IBD kitty will vomit or have diarrhea if not on a grain-free limited ingredient diet.

We're happy to provide our opinions and experiences to help you make a decision, but it is ultimately up to you. Listen to your kitty and keep a watch on him. If the food is not agreeing with him, find something that will. Let us know how the fecal exam results come out. I'm curious to know if it's just worms.

I've tried both pate and chunks and he won't eat either. He licks the broth, takes a couple bites, then leaves it.

I bought him some Tomlyn to put on raw chicken and he won't eat that either. Ugh.

vegmuffin · Mar 7, 2013

We've never tried the sensitive formula, but they do have a grain free that Emmy likes. It still has the pea protein that concerned the others, but she's never had a problem with it. So, maybe check out the grain free version? http://shop.halopets.com/Spots-Stew-Dry-Cat-Grain-Free-Chicken-recipe-3Lb

auroraei · Mar 7, 2013

vegmuffin said:
We've never tried the sensitive formula, but they do have a grain free that Emmy likes. It still has the pea protein that concerned the others, but she's never had a problem with it. So, maybe check out the grain free version? http://shop.halopets.com/Spots-Stew-Dry-Cat-Grain-Free-Chicken-recipe-3Lb

That one looks really good. I'd buy that. I wanted to buy the Sensitive formula only because I didn't want to further upset his system right now, but I'd switch over to that.

auroraei · Mar 7, 2013

Got Phoenix to eat the Tomlyn. He licked it right off the spoon, after refusing to earlier

peeka73 · May 22, 2013

I fed my 3 cats Halo dry grain-free chicken kibbles for about a year when all 3 developed UTI issues. A close friend with 2 cats also made the switch with me at the same time, and her cats ALSO developed UTI issues. Both households are now on canned grain-free food and the boys on Purina UR canned food. So far so good. Prior to the switch, we were both feeding Blue Spa chicken kibbles for years and never had problems.

We contacted Halo and they completely dismissed us. (we were not asking for anything, just to inform them of possible issues with their batch?) I don't recommend their dry food. Sorry.

luvmy4 · May 22, 2013

Two of my cats Cali and Dax loved Halo canned spots stew. It was one brand they never seemed to get sick of or reject. I don't leave near Petco anymore so I haven't bought it in a number of years.

I did try the dry food once but Dax can't eat dry food at all. They did seem to enjoy the taste though. I never found a kind of kibble that he didn't throw up. He just scarfs and barfs dry food, no golf ball or special bowl could slow him down. My dog did great on Halo dry though...haha

mr kittypants · Apr 4, 2015

Its 5.5-ounce cans are not BPA-free (the smaller 3-ounce cans are); BPA (Bisphenol A) is a chemical linked to cancers, reproductive problems and other diseases.

bonepicker · Apr 5, 2015

It is usually DRY food period, causing UTIs. Especially the boys!

cheroke530 · Jun 22, 2015

I have 2 cats the age of 15 yrs old and have been on Halo (salmon) or sometimes get (seafood medley) for at least 11 years and they love it. That's not the reason why I buy it for them. One of my cats were having a allergy problems on her coat. Tried several brands. What sold me on Halo is that they have never had a recall and it cleared up my cats issue and they do excellent on this food. I think every cats digestive system is different but I would rather take a chance on Halo then have my pets become serious ill or maybe die on some others. By the way Purina One is the same company that makes Beneful and that food kills pets. Also, it maybe a different formula but why would you buy Purina One Pro Plan or any other from them if they didn't care that they were harming your pet with Beneful.

josiegirl · Nov 10, 2017

I know this thread is 4 yrs old but I used to feed my kitties Halo Spots Stew wet food. I stopped when I started finding pasta noodles in it!! Yeah, those round spaghettiO type noodles were in its food.

I haven' fed Halo in some time so I don't know how good it is. But I lost total trust in them!

splasha1 · Nov 25, 2017

Halo's Healthy Weight formula used to be all little, "spaghetti O's." Over the months after switching to
it my cat dropped from over 15 lbs. to high 13's. Some months back they apparently replaced the shape
with little, "chips," which are also darker and it appears as a result she is gaining back weight; breaking
15 lbs. today. I suspect what you experienced was some left-overs during packaging. Did you ask Halo before
"writing them off?"
My neighbors cat died age 18. Lived his whole life on dry food. Another friends cat recently died; 20 years old; also always only ate "low end" dry food. Both were small-average sized, NON overweight males. Of course one could argue maybe they both might have lived longer,
on different diet, but one also should look at average lifespan's.

Anyone have experience with Halo brand cat food?

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