Dry/Wet Food With High Protein

What  dry&wet has the highest protein? 
I know that Evo's dry is 50% (all their feline dry is 50%protein), but is their anything higher then that when it comes to dry? (&Preferably lower in carbs if possibly) 
Also how do you calculate the protein in wet to compare it to dry? I haven't had any luck trying to find the calculation for this, I hope someone can help

Quick side note I know that wet food is better, I rarely feed dry but I am a college student so giving my cat dry once a week helps me cut back on cost and stress.

Hi,

I can't really answer your question, as I feed mainly raw.  But, I thought I should flag that there is 'protein' and then there is 'protein'.  For a cat, you want the protein to come from MEAT.  As this is more expensive, almost all dry, and most canned cat food, will be made with cheaper proteins - those coming from plants.  So you will need to check the ingredients.  Plant based protein is not at all helpful for a cat.  Things to look for: gluten, soy or soy protein derivitive, wheat, maize, corn, peas.  If these are in the ingredients and/or meat is listed lower down (or not at all), then the protein analysis means nothing in terms of feline nutrition.  

I'm sure someone will come along with the formula for calculating on a dry matter basis.

As to a 'kibble' that is high in good protein for a feline, I don't believe there is any.  You're far better feeding canned.  

I have come across one other product that is good, and is as convenient as kibble, and that is Ziwipeak 'raw without the thaw'.  Basically, it is mostly meat (some 'carbs' from inulin, but it is just fibre), has no grains, and is dehydrated.  It looks like little squares of slightly flexible jerky.  There's an analysis of percentage protein etc for the DOG version here - could well be different for the CAT version, as Dogs are omnivores, and Cats obligate carnivores, which is a distinction that the Ziwipeak people do understand (certainly the cat stuff ingredient list reads very well - I don't have a dog, so i don't know the ingredients for the dog version) http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/ziwipeak-dog-food-dehydrated/

Young Again Zero Carb has 55% protein (chicken/pork) and zero carbs. It has the highest protein content for kibble that I know of... and it ain't cheap.

$50.00 for an 8lb. bag

As far as a calculator, I have a feeling that I'm misunderstanding what you need...  but can't you just look at the labels? The guaranteed analysis section should tell you what percentages of protein, fat, fiber, moisture, ash and taurine are in the food. 

There are several DMB calculators. I am on my phone so I will post links later. I do know there is one on the catcentric.org site.

The best high animal protein/low carb dry foods I know of are Ziwipeak, Wysong Epigen 90 and Young Again Zero Carb.

I'm a student too, and feeding homemade raw turned out to be cheaper than cheap canned for me. You can feed 15% of the diet as unbalanced raw or cooked. So if you feed twice a day, you can feed 2 meals a week unbalanced. Eggs are a great protein for cheap too.

Here's the link to the CatCentric DMB:

http://catcentric.org/nutrition-and-food/canned-foods/

(It's towards the bottom and there's a link to download a spreadsheet calculator)

vball91 said:

The best high animal protein/low carb dry foods I know of are Ziwipeak, Wysong Epigen 90 and Young Again Zero Carb.

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Unfortunately, you aren't going to find any of these foods at Petsmart/Petco (at least I haven't seen them). Chewy sells Wysong Epigen 90 for 10 dollars/2 pounds. Ziwipeak Cat I have a hard time finding too, even at "holistic" pet supply stores. And I have yet to see Young Again Zero Carb.

I've never fed dry (except for as treats), but feeding raw came to be cheaper than feeding mostly Wellness canned for me. I agree with Peaches - I usually suggest supplementary raw for cutting costs instead of adding a higher quality dry usually if the person already cooks already.

pinkman said:

 

Unfortunately, you aren't going to find any of these foods at Petsmart/Petco (at least I haven't seen them). Chewy sells Wysong Epigen 90 for 10 dollars/2 pounds. Ziwipeak Cat I have a hard time finding too, even at "holistic" pet supply stores. And I have yet to see Young Again Zero Carb.

I've never fed dry (except for as treats), but feeding raw came to be cheaper than feeding mostly Wellness canned for me. I agree with Peaches - I usually suggest supplementary raw for cutting costs instead of adding a higher quality dry usually if the person already cooks already.

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I usually feed my cat 2-3 raw meals a week but I just want a really good dry for when I need to use it, like when I was cramming for finals and couldn't even rip myself away from my books to even feed myself. I have "holistic" pet stores in my area that sell wysong and ziwipeak so I'll look into that (: 

peaches08 said:

I'm a student too, and feeding homemade raw turned out to be cheaper than cheap canned for me. You can feed 15% of the diet as unbalanced raw or cooked. So if you feed twice a day, you can feed 2 meals a week unbalanced. Eggs are a great protein for cheap too.

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I feed 2-3 raw meals a week unbalenced already. Ziggy is a 5 month old kitten so she still has a crazy appetite so she eats 3-4 times a day. Could I feed her the egg by itself? I sometimes give her an egg yolk mixed into her wet. Should I just do egg yolk or the whole egg?

vball91 said:

There are several DMB calculators. I am on my phone so I will post links later. I do know there is one on the catcentric.org site.

The best high animal protein/low carb dry foods I know of are Ziwipeak, Wysong Epigen 90 and Young Again Zero Carb.

Click to expand...

I'll take a look at it, thanks

ProCat said:

 
Young Again Zero Carb has 55% protein (chicken/pork) and zero carbs. It has the highest protein content for kibble that I know of... and it ain't cheap.

$50.00 for an 8lb. bag

As far as a calculator, I have a feeling that I'm misunderstanding what you need...  but can't you just look at the labels? The guaranteed analysis section should tell you what percentages of protein, fat, fiber, moisture, ash and taurine are in the food. 

Click to expand...

I was told that when you compare wet food to dry, dry seems to have more protein which cats need. But if you do the math and convert the wet food to a dry matter basis(Is that the correct way to say it?) that you will get the protein amount as if it where dry hence making it easier to compare. So I suppose if you were to remove the water weight?

& I have looked into the Zero Carb by young again but their ingredient list doesn't seem too promising to me. Not enough meat sources, too many things ending in meal.

tammyp said:

 
Hi,

I can't really answer your question, as I feed mainly raw.  But, I thought I should flag that there is 'protein' and then there is 'protein'.  For a cat, you want the protein to come from MEAT.  As this is more expensive, almost all dry, and most canned cat food, will be made with cheaper proteins - those coming from plants.  So you will need to check the ingredients.  Plant based protein is not at all helpful for a cat.  Things to look for: gluten, soy or soy protein derivitive, wheat, maize, corn, peas.  If these are in the ingredients and/or meat is listed lower down (or not at all), then the protein analysis means nothing in terms of feline nutrition.  

Click to expand...

I should have clarified that, that is what I meant >.< Sorry

If she'll eat the whole egg, I don't see why you can't feed it. Most advise for the whites to be cooked, though. Something about the avidin binding to certain B vitamins. Raw yolk is fine.

I have a grinder and deep freezer, so I make big batches of food at a time. Something you can consider: start saving eggshells to make your own eggshell powder for a calcium source. Get the supplements for the chicken thighs recipe from www.catinfo.org, get a good scale and measuring spoons that @LDG suggests, chunk/grind meat, and boom! Boneless and balanced raw.

As mentioned you cannot fairly compare protein percentages by reading the packaging as many foods differ in their moisture content. Where as one canned food may say the protien is 11 % and another 9 % the 11% is not necessarily the one with the higher protein content. Procat posted the link to the easy formula but there was a mathematical/typo mistake on the other site- believe it or not -so I fixed it and re-posted below:

Pick up the food and examine the label and locate the Moisture percentage

Step 1: Subtract the moisture percentage say (78%) from 100% to get 22% and convert that to a decimal (22% = .22).
Step 2: Divide each of the other guaranteed analysis percentages listed on the label by that decimal:

Protein = 13 / .22 = 59% DMB
Fat = 4 / .22 = 18.18% DMB
Fiber = 2 / .22 = 9.09% DMB
Ash = 1 / .22 = 4.55% DMB
To determine the carb content, subtract all of the DBM numbers above from 100. In this example, the DMB carb content is 9.09%.

There are some great high protein drys listed here. But I think some are hard to find. For ease I would go with Wellness Core original dry. I also like the Natures Variety No grain Drys. 

Slykat12 said:

 
As mentioned you cannot fairly compare protein percentages by reading the packaging as many foods differ in their moisture content. Where as one canned food may say the protien is 11 % and another 9 % the 11% is not necessarily the one with the higher protein content. Procat posted the link to the easy formula but there was a mathematical/typo mistake on the other site- believe it or not -so I fixed it and re-posted below:

Pick up the food and examine the label and locate the Moisture percentage

Step 1: Subtract the moisture percentage say (78%) from 100% to get 22% and convert that to a decimal (22% = .22).
Step 2: Divide each of the other guaranteed analysis percentages listed on the label by that decimal:

Protein = 13 / .22 = 59% DMB
Fat = 4 / .22 = 18.18% DMB
Fiber = 2 / .22 = 9.09% DMB
Ash = 1 / .22 = 4.55% DMB
To determine the carb content, subtract all of the DBM numbers above from 100. In this example, the DMB carb content is 9.09%.

There are some great high protein drys listed here. But I think some are hard to find. For ease I would go with Wellness Core original dry. I also like the Natures Variety No grain Drys. 

Click to expand...

peaches08 said:

If she'll eat the whole egg, I don't see why you can't feed it. Most advise for the whites to be cooked, though. Something about the avidin binding to certain B vitamins. Raw yolk is fine.

I have a grinder and deep freezer, so I make big batches of food at a time. Something you can consider: start saving eggshells to make your own eggshell powder for a calcium source. Get the supplements for the chicken thighs recipe from www.catinfo.org, get a good scale and measuring spoons that @LDG suggests, chunk/grind meat, and boom! Boneless and balanced raw.

Click to expand...

I usually just feed the yolk itself because I read somewhere that the egg white affects the kittys body in absorbing biotin? Or something along those lines. I already crush egg shells as my calcium source for when I do feed raw snacks(and for my boyfriends fish and our turtles!) , I'm just still weary of fulling taking the plunge into raw since I feel that I will mess up the balancing part.

Another dry I hear good things about and is not so hard to find is Evo Turkey and Chicken. That has 55% "no grain" protein. I think the core original dry cat has 50%. But it matters what your baby likes. My kitten HATES lots of foods. Sigh...

I am not a dry expert. I am a can studier. Grain free drys are a relatively new concept . But many good products seem to be coming out daily . That Instinct boost that is part dry/part raw has caught my eye hmmmm.

Slykat12 said:

 
Another dry I hear good things about and is not so hard to find is Evo Turkey and Chicken. That has 55% "no grain" protein. I think the core original dry cat has 50%. But it matters what your baby likes. My kitten HATES lots of foods. Sigh...

I am not a dry expert. I am a can studier.

Grain free drys are a relatively new concept . But many good products seem to be coming out daily . That Instinct boost that is part dry/part raw has caught my eye hmmmm.

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Alrigght, people keep mentioning the Evo to me so I will have to buy some and try it on Ziggy Shes currently on the Wellness Core for the odd times she does get dry. I too have been eyeing that dry/raw mix! Ziggy loves the boost treats so I wonder .... O:

Based on experience, I can recommend the EVO Chicken & Turkey. Just make sure you transition it and watch the portions. With low/no carb foods, the fat content is typically higher and so goes the calories.

(EVO weighs in at 600 calories per cup.)

Most of the types of cat food mentioned in this thread can be reviewed in our Reviews section, so if you tried them, please do take a minute to write a short review! Thank you! 

Anne said:

 
Most of the types of cat food mentioned in this thread can be reviewed in our Reviews section, so if you tried them, please do take a minute to write a short review! Thank you! 

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Will do Thanks for the reminder! 


 

ProCat said:

 
Based on experience, I can recommend the EVO Chicken & Turkey. Just make sure you transition it and watch the portions. With low/no carb foods, the fat content is typically higher and so goes the calories.

(EVO weighs in at 600 calories per cup.)

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Alright thanks will do!

Interesting about the egg whites - when I was feeding our crf (renal failure) kitty egg whites were suggested as the most digestible protein source.  There is a dried version that Amazon carries that's easy to mix into whatever (& not expensive).

Another answer to ProCat's question as to why you can't just read labels - Guaranteed Analysis figures are usually minimums, not actuals.  So you get an idea but it's not exact.  Best info is from manufacturers' websites or charts like from catinfo.org or this one. 

I just found a converter where you just plug in the label numbers & it does the math for you!  Kind-of cool...

That converter I linked doesn't do DMB, though, it does ME which is a different scale.

Also just a note that the EVO has fish meal and many suggest limiting fish to a couple meals per week.

Yes Pezcat Evo has Herring meal but so does Wellness Core. It is far down the list, a less harmful fish than say Tuna, and in addition the OP is not using it as a sole food source. Thus I doubt it to be that harmful.