Opinions on a tinned cat food, please

nyghthawk · Feb 21, 2014

I went shopping yesterday and bought a fairly wide variety of brands and flavours of tinned food. I chose most of these because they are missing certain ingredients, like wheat gluten and soy. I did my best to source ones without carrageenan (no luck for the majority, there) and other 'iffy' ingredients.
This one is the cheapest one I bought, at 49 cents for a 5.5 ounce tin. It's the yellow label 'No Name' brand sold at Superstore, as well as other stores under the Loblaw's umbrella.

Meat by-products, poultry by-products, beef, chicken, fish (sustainably sourced), rice flour, animal digest, guar gum, sodium tripolyphosphate, salt, potassium chloride, vitamins and minerals, choline chloride, carrageenan, tricalcium phosphate, taurine, iron oxide, water sufficient for processing.

Crude Protein - 10% Max

Crude Fat - 5.0% Min

Crude Fibre - 1.0% Max

Moisture - 78% Max

Ash - 2.5% Max

Taurine - 0.05% Min

I understand that the by-products and animal digest are issues for many. As are Carrageenan and guar gum. Unfortunately, in spite of spending a lot of time reading labels yesterday, I could not find any that did not have any of those in it. Well..not totally true. I did, but I could not buy them exclusively at the $1.50 and up for each 3-5 ounce tin. So I am buying a variety of brands and finding which ones she likes and doesn't like.

For what it's worth, I gave her a serving of this last night. No problems with diarrhea or gas. Everything looks normal and she really enjoyed chowing down.

oneandahalfcats · Feb 21, 2014

Hi there ,

While it will be pretty hard to find canned cat food that does not contain carageenan or guar gum, there are a few brands without. I will start with Fancy Feast 'pate' (for those in Canada), and Fancy Feast Classic (for those in US) which does not contain carageenan. However, this canned food does contain meat by-products and guar gum (which is not as bad as carageenan).

I am in Ontario as well, and think you can do a little better than the yellow 'No Name' brand. PC has a canned wet food called Extra Meaty Cat food (3.0 and 5.5 ounce). Here is the list of all varieties : http://www.pc.ca/content/pc/en_CA/products/productlisting.tag@lclonline!Brand,PCExtraMeaty.html. I feed my female the Duck and Wild Rice (green label) on rotation, which is a little better for ingredients than the varieties with chicken and beef. This product is quite similar to Fancy Feast, in that it doesn't contain carageenan.

If you can pay a little more it is worth it to avoid things like by-products, soy and wheat. There are some good grain-free varieties that you can purchase from your local Pet Valu or PetSmart store. I am currently feeding GO Brand (5.5 ounce for $1.89) Duck, Venison or Lamb which is grain-free and a pretty decent canned food. It contains zero by-product, soy, and grains. Here is a link to the Duck diet : http://www.petcurean.com/for-cats/go/sensitivity-and-shine-grain-free-duck-pate

Something to keep in mind is that while by-product is not the best, it is far better than dry kibble! ...

Hope this helps ... I wish you good luck.

nyghthawk · Feb 21, 2014

I checked PetSmart...I did buy some of the one I've seen recommended on here, but because of the higher price, I had to watch how many I bought. I also picked up Fancy Feast and other brands as well. I know the No Name isn't the best...but after looking at Meow Mix, I figure it's the better of the two and less expensive. Right now I have four or five different brands in my cupboard. Each was chosen for its lack of wheat and soy, and low ash content.

My Lilith is quite pregnant..not sure when she'll have them, but I doubt it's much longer. So I also picked up kitten foods to work into her rotation and to have on hand once they're born.

She does have kibble, but barely touches it. It's a grain-free one, but that's her 'I'll eat it if there is NOTHING else' food. Picky girl. She's gone from a farm, catching mice and eating kibble, to being here as a mouser and on kibble, then to wet food. She's discovered that wet food is her favourite. Big shock.

The store didn't have the extra-meaty one. Lately, the local stores have been having issues with keeping some things in stock and apparently this particular food is one of them. I'll keep my eyes open for it, though.

By-product..I'm still doing my own learning on that, 'meat meal' and such. I don't like wheat and soy in my animals foods. My dog reacts badly to wheat, corn, soy and even rice. Feeding her is a challenge.

The cat was getting Whiskas kibble when we first got her, but she ended up with scabby skin and that's when I switched her, cold-turkey, to the grain-free President's Choice kibble. Her skin has healed up and she's looking quite nice. Then I found out about wet food being better (NOT what I learned growing up!!) and started off with Whiskas Pate. That's when she said no to kibbles. But she likes Whiskas Temptations as a treat for behaving while I take her underarm temperature each morning.

Willowy · Feb 21, 2014

I occasionally add some store brand canned foods into my cat food rotation. Like that one, some have really decent ingredients. However. . .the ingredients aren't the whole story---the quality of the vitamin/mineral premix is also important. I feel that Purina has the best premix of all the cheaper canned food companies, so I mostly stick to Friskies and Fancy Feast.

I discovered this when I was feeding a lot of 9 Lives, and my cats just weren't doing as well as they do on Friskies, even though the ingredients of the flavors I was using were virtually identical.

So, I still add other brands in the rotation, but I stick with Purina brands for the majority of their diet.

nyghthawk · Feb 21, 2014

Willowy said:
I occasionally add some store brand canned foods into my cat food rotation. Like that one, some have really decent ingredients. However. . .the ingredients aren't the whole story---the quality of the vitamin/mineral premix is also important. I feel that Purina has the best premix of all the cheaper canned food companies, so I mostly stick to Friskies and Fancy Feast.

I discovered this when I was feeding a lot of 9 Lives, and my cats just weren't doing as well as they do on Friskies, even though the ingredients of the flavors I was using were virtually identical.

So, I still add other brands in the rotation, but I stick with Purina brands for the majority of their diet.

*nods* I don't want her to become too fixated or develop allergies on one variety of food, so I'm trying to vary it with ones that I think are (at least) decent, if not top of the line. Yesterday, I spent 49 cents up to $2 for a tin of food for her. The average was around 80 cents and her shelf is full! lol

I looked at 9 Lives and Meow Mix and turned both down right away. Grains, veggies...no. I do have some that have rice in them, but it shows up around the 6th ingredient and the list is otherwise good. Oddly enough, those were some of the more expensive ones!

oneandahalfcats · Feb 21, 2014

nyghthawk said:
I checked PetSmart...I did buy some of the one I've seen recommended on here, but because of the higher price, I had to watch how many I bought. I also picked up Fancy Feast and other brands as well. I know the No Name isn't the best...but after looking at Meow Mix, I figure it's the better of the two and less expensive. Right now I have four or five different brands in my cupboard. Each was chosen for its lack of wheat and soy, and low ash content.

My Lilith is quite pregnant..not sure when she'll have them, but I doubt it's much longer. So I also picked up kitten foods to work into her rotation and to have on hand once they're born.

She does have kibble, but barely touches it. It's a grain-free one, but that's her 'I'll eat it if there is NOTHING else' food. Picky girl. She's gone from a farm, catching mice and eating kibble, to being here as a mouser and on kibble, then to wet food. She's discovered that wet food is her favourite. Big shock.

The store didn't have the extra-meaty one. Lately, the local stores have been having issues with keeping some things in stock and apparently this particular food is one of them. I'll keep my eyes open for it, though.

By-product..I'm still doing my own learning on that, 'meat meal' and such. I don't like wheat and soy in my animals foods. My dog reacts badly to wheat, corn, soy and even rice. Feeding her is a challenge.

The cat was getting Whiskas kibble when we first got her, but she ended up with scabby skin and that's when I switched her, cold-turkey, to the grain-free President's Choice kibble. Her skin has healed up and she's looking quite nice. Then I found out about wet food being better (NOT what I learned growing up!!) and started off with Whiskas Pate. That's when she said no to kibbles. But she likes Whiskas Temptations as a treat for behaving while I take her underarm temperature each morning.

Sounds like you are definitely on the right track in knowing what to stay away from. Very wise to have switched from the Whiskas to the grain-free. Glad to hear that the scabs cleared up.

I have three cats and know the challenge in finding the balance between wanting a good food for everyone and doing so as economically as possible. My crew get wet canned for the most part but I also give some PC Nutrition First kibble as a small meal in the late afternoon. It is not completely grain-free (contains barley and rice) but is low-grain at least and contains no corn or wheat. This year I hope to transition everyone off of kibble to a total meat diet.

You must be looking forward to the birth of the kitties .. Sounds like you are well prepared. I wish you all the best with this.

It would be lovely to see some pics when you have the chance ...

EDIT: Just thought I would add that in checking the ingredients for the GO Brand canned, I see that it does not in fact contain carageenan, but does have the guar gum in case you are interested at some point. Also, for the Extra Meaty PC, I pay about .65 cents a can and so this is what you will probably pay as well, if and when you should come across it.

nyghthawk · Feb 21, 2014

oneandahalfcats said:
Sounds like you are definitely on the right track in knowing what to stay away from. Very wise to have switched from the Whiskas to the grain-free. Glad to hear that the scabs cleared up.

I have three cats and know the challenge in finding the balance between wanting a good food for everyone and doing so as economically as possible. My crew get wet canned for the most part but I also give some PC Nutrition First kibble as a small meal in the late afternoon. It is not completely grain-free (contains barley and rice) but is low-grain at least and contains no corn or wheat. This year I hope to transition everyone off of kibble to a total meat diet.

You must be looking forward to the birth of the kitties .. Sounds like you are well prepared. I wish you all the best with this.

It would be lovely to see some pics when you have the chance ...

EDIT: Just thought I would add that in checking the ingredients for the GO Brand canned, I see that it does not in fact contain carageenan, but does have the guar gum in case you are interested at some point. Also, for the Extra Meaty PC, I pay about .65 cents a can and so this is what you will probably pay as well, if and when you should come across it.

The grain free bit of it was easy to figure out. My dog has the same issue.

She's been on a grain free kibble for three years now, and is doing well on it. She also eats raw eggs and some raw meat when I find it really cheap. Thankfully, she's a walking garbage can and doesn't have too many issues with switching between one type of food to another. Apparently, the cat is blessed with a similar internal system.

I switched her kibble cold-turkey, then added in wet food right off the hop, switched brands on the fly and...not one single problem.

I am looking forward to the kittens arrival. It will be nice for her, too. lol She looks so uncomfortable! Reminds me of my last pregnancy when I had my twins..reaching that point where you just want it *over*.

oneandahalfcats · Feb 21, 2014

nyghthawk said:
The grain free bit of it was easy to figure out. My dog has the same issue. She's been on a grain free kibble for three years now, and is doing well on it. She also eats raw eggs and some raw meat when I find it really cheap. Thankfully, she's a walking garbage can and doesn't have too many issues with switching between one type of food to another. Apparently, the cat is blessed with a similar internal system.

I switched her kibble cold-turkey, then added in wet food right off the hop, switched brands on the fly and...not one single problem.

I am looking forward to the kittens arrival. It will be nice for her, too. lol She looks so uncomfortable! Reminds me of my last pregnancy when I had my twins..reaching that point where you just want it *over*.

That's awesome re. the easy switch to wet! Speaking of walking garbage cans, I have a couple of these too, only one gets constipation from time to time which is why I am looking to switch from the kibble. I think a low fiber, more moisture diet will be best for him (Max).

Twins! My goodness .. I'd say your kitty then is in very good mama hands.

marc999 · Feb 21, 2014

NW Ontario - Wawa, Thunder Bay?

I have Evo canned in rotation - many are 13.2 oz cans and close to or exceeding 500 calories.

For my guy, that's 2.5 days worth of food right there.

I have tried Evo 95% Chicken&Turkey, or their 95% Beef or Duck or Venison. If you buy a case of 12, usually there's a slight discount.

You're getting decent bang for your dollar - especially the Beef one, presuming she'll eat Beef. I weigh out the ounces to get the 100 calorie x 2 servings, using a digital weigh scale - $10 Cdn. Tire.

Although it will still be more than some foods at Loblaws.

Keep hounding your Loblaw store on the 'ExtraMeaty' product line. The ingredients are great (for a discount food). $0.50 is hard to beat for a 5.5 oz (day's worth) can of food. If you buy 10 at a time, they even have sales for $0.45 / each sometimes.

For my money - I stick with:

Fancy Feast 'pate' (only when on sale - Petsmart or Walmart),

Grreat Choice (Poultry Platter, Country Dinner, Mixed Grill - Petsmart)

Friskies pates (everywhere),

Evo 95% (Global Pet Foods, Pet Valu),

Loblaw 'ExtraMeaty' - 3-4 different ones like chicken, turkey&giblet, beef, duck.

Occasionally I throw in Hound&Gatos and other premium brands once every few weeks (Global Pet Foods) just for some novel protein change. i.e. rabbit / duck etc.

nyghthawk · Feb 21, 2014

Marc999 said:
NW Ontario - Wawa, Thunder Bay?

I have Evo canned in rotation - many are 13.2 oz cans and close to or exceeding 500 calories.

For my guy, that's 2.5 days worth of food right there.

I have tried Evo 95% Chicken&Turkey, or their 95% Beef or Duck or Venison. If you buy a case of 12, usually there's a slight discount.

You're getting decent bang for your dollar - especially the Beef one, presuming she'll eat Beef. I weigh out the ounces to get the 100 calorie x 2 servings, using a digital weigh scale - $10 Cdn. Tire.

Although it will still be more than some foods at Loblaws.

Keep hounding your Loblaw store on the 'ExtraMeaty' product line. The ingredients are great (for a discount food). $0.50 is hard to beat for a 5.5 oz (day's worth) can of food. If you buy 10 at a time, they even have sales for $0.45 / each sometimes.

For my money - I stick with:

Fancy Feast 'pate' (only when on sale - Petsmart or Walmart),

Grreat Choice (Poultry Platter, Country Dinner, Mixed Grill - Petsmart)

Friskies pates (everywhere),

Evo 95% (Global Pet Foods, Pet Valu),

Loblaw 'ExtraMeaty' - 3-4 different ones like chicken, turkey&giblet, beef, duck.

Occasionally I throw in Hound&Gatos and other premium brands once every few weeks (Global Pet Foods) just for some novel protein change. i.e. rabbit / duck etc.

Hi Marc!
I live in Terrace Bay. Thunder Bay is the closest city, yes.
I TOTALLY forgot about Canadian Tire!!! I've gotten used to going into the city to buy from three stores for 98% of my lists..Superstore, Wal-Mart and the Wholesale Club.

I'll have to check Can. Tire the next time we're in on the first.

She has (all pates) No Name, Fancy Feast, Authority Kitten Food, Whiskas, Special Kitty, and Friskies. She also has shredded Special Kitty treat tins, but those are for a once in a while extra..usually two to three times a week. Then she has her grain-free kibble that is ignored.

As for what she'll eat..she's tired of chicken. Here in Terrace Bay, the only food they carry that is worthwhile is the Friskies Pate..in Chicken, Chefs Dinner (chicken based), and a couple of fish flavours. She's tired of them. Loves beef, shrimp, salmon..tonight she gets to try the Authority Lamb I picked up. With growing her babies, she's eating 1 1/2 to two five ounce tins a day.

cocheezie · Feb 21, 2014

I've been noticing PC Extra Meaty empty shelf space at the 4 Loblaws/Superstore/NoFrills stores in my area recently as well (central ON). I had to go to three stores to get a certain flavour of PC that my cat showed an interest in (and then went off immediately after buying). My feral friend is eating well these days.

nyghthawk · Feb 21, 2014

cocheezie said:
I've been noticing PC Extra Meaty empty shelf space at the 4 Loblaws/Superstore/NoFrills stores in my area recently as well (central ON). I had to go to three stores to get a certain flavour of PC that my cat showed an interest in (and then went off immediately after buying). My feral friend is eating well these days.

Isn't that peculiar...I checked at two different stores for it and neither one had any on the shelves.

oneandahalfcats · Feb 22, 2014

While I am able to get the PC Extra Meaty canned at my local Independent, I am not finding the Duck and Wild Rice in the 5.5 ounce can, just the 3 ounce? I asked the grocery guy to check their order list, and was told that the Duck isn't available in the larger can. It could be on account of the Duck being a more expensive ingredient, OR maybe not as popular so PC doesn't make as much of this. My female prefers chunky foods so the Duck fits the bill quite nicely.

If anyone is finding the 5.5 ounce Duck and Wild Rice at their local Independent, Loblaws (Super Store, No Frills), Valu Mart, etc., please let me know.

I may call PC and see if I can find out something more definite.

milky07 · Mar 7, 2017

I can get the big can of special kitty for 0.99 cent but i mostly stick with friskies, fancy feast, never tryed neow mix i do get etrxa meaty, or wiskas

Opinions on a tinned cat food, please

nyghthawk

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Willowy

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